Selection of radio access technologies for v2x messages

ABSTRACT

A user equipment participates in vehicle-to-anything (V2X) communications. The user equipment comprises processor circuitry and a transmitter and/or receiver. The processor circuitry configured is to autonomously make a selection, from radio resources of at least two radio access technologies, of a radio resource(s) for transmission and/or reception of a V2X message of the V2X communication. The transmitter and/or receiver is configured to use the selected radio resource(s) for the transmission and/or reception of the V2X message.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a national stage application of International PatentApplication PCT/JP2019/031397, filed Aug. 8, 2019, now published as WO2020/032181 A1. International Patent Application PCT/JP2019/031397claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/716,304,filed Aug. 8, 2018. U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/716,304 andInternational Patent Application PCT/JP2019/031397, now published as WO2020/032181 A1, are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technology relates to wireless communications, and particularly toselecting radio resources for a vehicle (V2X) communications messages.

BACKGROUND ART

When two user equipment terminals (e.g., mobile communication devices)of a cellular network or other telecommunication system communicate witheach other, their data path typically goes through the operator network.The data path through the network may include base stations and/orgateways. If the devices are in close proximity with each other, theirdata path may be routed locally through a local base station. Ingeneral, communications between a network node such as a base stationand a wireless terminal is known as “WAN” or “Cellular communication”.

It is also possible for two user equipment terminals in close proximityto each other to establish a direct link without the need to go througha base station. Telecommunications systems may use or enabledevice-to-device (“D2D”) communication, in which two or more userequipment terminals directly communicate with one another. In D2Dcommunication, voice and data traffic (referred to herein as“communication signals” or “communications”) from one user equipmentterminal to one or more other user equipment terminals may not becommunicated through a base station or other network control device of atelecommunication system. “Device-to-device (“D2D”) communication mayalso be known as “sidelink direct” communication (e.g., sidelinkcommunication), or even as “sidelink”, “SL”, or “SLD” communication.

D2D or sidelink direct communication can be used in networks implementedaccording to any suitable telecommunications standard. A non-limitingexample of such as standard is the 3rd Generation Partnership Project(“3GPP”) Long Term Evolution (“LTE”). The 3GPP standard is acollaboration agreement that aims to define globally applicabletechnical specifications and technical reports for third and fourthgeneration wireless communication systems. The 3GPP may definespecifications for next generation mobile networks, systems, anddevices.

3GPP Rel-14 specified a feature that covers use cases and potentialrequirements for LTE support for vehicular communications services(represented by the term, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) Services). Thefeature is documented in the TR 22.885 on LTE Study on LTE Support forV2X Services. V2X services may include one or more of the following:

-   -   V2V: covering LTE-based communication between vehicles.    -   V2P: covering LTE-based communication between a vehicle and a        device carried by an individual (e.g. handheld terminal carried        by a pedestrian, cyclist, driver or passenger).    -   V2I: covering LTE-based communication between a vehicle and a        roadside unit. A roadside unit (RSU) is a transportation        infrastructure entity (e.g. an entity transmitting speed        notifications).

Thus far 3GPP deliberations concerning synchronization forvehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications have essentially assumed reuseof LTE sidelink for V2V, e.g., assumed that the V2V communications willessentially be indistinct from sidelink direct communications in theaccess stratum (AS), e.g., may use the same PC5 radio access interface.As such, it has generally been assumed that the LTE 3GPP resourceselection design for SLD would be reused for V2X communication as muchas possible. On the other hand, there are still numerous differencesbetween V2X and D2D, such as higher V2X user equipment (UE) density andmuch higher V2X UE velocity.

What is needed are methods, apparatus, and/or techniques for selectingradio resources for a V2X messages involved in vehicle (V2X)communications.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In one example, a user equipment which participates invehicle-to-anything (V2X) communications, comprising: processorcircuitry configured to autonomously make a selection, from radioresources of at least two radio access technologies, of a radioresource(s) for transmission and/or reception of a V2X message of theV2X communication; a transmitter and/or receiver configured to use theselected radio resource(s) for the transmission and/or reception of theV2X message.

In one example, a method in a user equipment which participates invehicle-to-anything (V2X) communications, comprising: using processorcircuitry to autonomously make a selection, from radio resources of atleast two radio access technologies, of a radio resource(s) fortransmission and/or reception of a V2X message of the V2X communication;using the selected radio resource(s) for the transmission and/orreception of the V2X message.

In one example, a node of a core network comprising: processor circuitryconfigured to generate a set of thresholds, the set of thresholds beingconfigured for comparison by a user equipment with quality of serviceinformation obtained from each of at least two radio access technologiesin conjunction with the user equipment making a selection, from radioresources of the at least two radio access technologies, of a radioresource(s) for transmission and/or reception of a V2X message of theV2X communication; interface circuitry configured to transmit the set ofthresholds ultimately to a node of a radio access network that is inradio communication with the user equipment.

In one example, a method in a node of a core network, the methodcomprising: using processor circuitry to generate a set of thresholds,the set of thresholds being configured for comparison by a userequipment with quality of service information obtained from each of atleast two radio access technologies in conjunction with the userequipment making a selection, from radio resources of the at least tworadio access technologies, of a radio resource(s) for transmissionand/or reception of a V2X message of the V2X communication; transmittingthe set of thresholds ultimately to a node of a radio access networkthat is in radio communication with the user equipment.

In one example, a node of a radio access network comprising: processorcircuitry configured to include a set of thresholds in a message, theset of thresholds being configured for comparison by a user equipmentwith quality of service information obtained from each of at least tworadio access technologies in conjunction with the user equipment makinga selection, from radio resources of the at least two radio accesstechnologies, of a radio resource(s) for transmission and/or receptionof a V2X message of the V2X communication; transmitter circuitryconfigured to transmit the message comprising the set of thresholds overa radio interface to the user equipment.

In one example, a method in node of a radio access network, the methodcomprising: using processor circuitry to include a set of thresholds ina message, the set of thresholds being configured for comparison by auser equipment with quality of service information obtained from each ofat least two radio access technologies in conjunction with the userequipment making a selection, from radio resources of the at least tworadio access technologies, of a radio resource(s) for transmissionand/or reception of a V2X message of the V2X communication; transmittingthe message comprising the set of thresholds over a radio interface tothe user equipment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of thetechnology disclosed herein will be apparent from the following moreparticular description of preferred embodiments as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings in which reference characters refer to the sameparts throughout the various views. The drawings are not necessarily toscale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles ofthe technology disclosed herein.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing generally three scenarios whichmay occur in vehicle (V2X) communication, i.e., an in coverage vehicle(V2X) communication scenario; a partial coverage vehicle (V2X)communication scenario; and an out-of-coverage vehicle (V2X)communication scenario.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view showing that, in differingimplementations, V2X communication may be implemented either inconjunction with sidelink direct (SLD) communication, in conjunctionwith enhanced SLD, or apart from SLD as a separate V2X communicationprotocol.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a network wherein at least one userequipment is in communication with plural radio access technologies andmust select radio resources for a V2X message.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an example embodiment of a generic userequipment configured to make a selection of a radio resources for a V2Xmessage.

FIG. 5A is a flowchart showing basic, representative acts or stepsperformed by the user equipment of FIG. 4 in selecting radio resourcesfor a V2X message.

FIG. 5B is a flowchart showing basic, representative sub-acts orsub-steps performed by the user equipment of FIG. 4 in selecting radioresources for a V2X message.

FIG. 6A is a diagrammatic view of an example set of thresholds which maybe used by the user equipment of FIG. 4 in making a selection of radioresources for a V2X message.

FIG. 6B is a diagrammatic view of an example configured threshold tablecomprising plural sets of thresholds which may be used by the userequipment of FIG. 4 in making a selection of radio resources for a V2Xmessage.

FIG. 6C is a diagrammatic view of an example configured threshold tablecomprising plural sets of thresholds which may be used, in conjunctionwith plural table indices, by the user equipment of FIG. 4 in making aselection of radio resources for a V2X message.

FIG. 7A is a flowcharts depicting example, representative, basic acts orsteps implemented in an example embodiment and mode of a V2X messageresource selection procedure.

FIG. 7B is a flowcharts depicting example, representative, basic acts orsteps implemented in an example embodiment and mode of a V2X messageresource selection procedure.

FIG. 7C is a flowcharts depicting example, representative, basic acts orsteps implemented in an example embodiment and mode of a V2X messageresource selection procedure.

FIG. 8A is a diagrammatic view showing selection of resources fortransmission and reception of a V2X message in a situation in which onetable index is provided by a network and thus a composite threshold A isutilized.

FIG. 8B is a diagrammatic view showing selection of resources fortransmission and reception of a V2X message in a situation in which twotable indices is provided by a network and thus both composite thresholdA and composite threshold B are utilized.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a network comprising a network node, anaccess node, and a user equipment wherein the user equipment implementsa V2X message resource selection procedure.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing example, representative, acts or stepsperformed by a network node of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic view of an example, non-limiting illustrationof an information element SL-Cg-r1 with the addition of BSM_QoS_Tableand BSM_QoS_Index_A and BSM_QoS_Index_B.

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic view of an example, non-limiting illustrationof a SIB “SIBx-NR-V2X”, e.g., a SystemInformationBlockTypeX-NR-V2X thatcomprises V2X sidelink communication configuration.

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic view of an example, non-limiting illustrationof a “SL-CommConfig” information element.

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic view showing example elements comprisingelectronic machinery which may comprise a wireless terminal, a radioaccess node, and a core network node according to an example embodimentand mode.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In one of its example aspects the technology disclosed herein concerns auser equipment which participates in vehicle-to-anything (V2X)communications and a method in the user equipment. In a generic exampleembodiment and mode the user equipment comprises processor circuitry anda transmitter and/or receiver. The processor circuitry configured is toautonomously make a selection, from radio resources of at least tworadio access technologies, of a radio resource(s) for transmissionand/or reception of a V2X message of the V2X communication. Thetransmitter and/or receiver is configured to use the selected radioresource(s) for the transmission and/or reception of the V2X message.

In one of its example aspects the technology disclosed herein concerns anode of a core network and a method in the node. In a generic exampleembodiment and mode the core network node comprises processor circuitryand interface circuitry. The processor circuitry is configured togenerate a set of thresholds. The set of thresholds is configured forcomparison by a user equipment with quality of service informationobtained from each of at least two radio access technologies inconjunction with the user equipment making a selection, from radioresources of the at least two radio access technologies, of a radioresource(s) for transmission and/or reception of a V2X message of theV2X communication. The interface circuitry is configured to transmit theset of thresholds ultimately to a node of a radio access network that isin radio communication with the user equipment.

In yet another of its example aspects the technology disclosed hereinconcerns a node of a radio access network and a method in the node. In ageneric example embodiment and mode the node comprises processorcircuitry and transmitter circuitry. The processor circuitry isconfigured to include a set of thresholds in a message. The set ofthresholds is configured for comparison by a user equipment with qualityof service information obtained from each of at least two radio accesstechnologies in conjunction with the user equipment making a selection,from radio resources of the at least two radio access technologies, of aradio resource(s) for transmission and/or reception of a V2X message ofthe V2X communication. The transmitter circuitry is configured totransmit the message comprising the set of thresholds over a radiointerface to the user equipment.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation and notlimitation, specific details are set forth such as particulararchitectures, interfaces, techniques, etc. in order to provide athorough understanding of the technology disclosed herein. However, itwill be apparent to those skilled in the art that the technologydisclosed herein may be practiced in other embodiments that depart fromthese specific details. That is, those skilled in the art will be ableto devise various arrangements which, although not explicitly describedor shown herein, embody the principles of the technology disclosedherein and are included within its spirit and scope. In some instances,detailed descriptions of well-known devices, circuits, and methods areomitted so as not to obscure the description of the technology disclosedherein with unnecessary detail. All statements herein recitingprinciples, aspects, and embodiments of the technology disclosed herein,as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass bothstructural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it isintended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalentsas well as equivalents developed in the future, i.e., any elementsdeveloped that perform the same function, regardless of structure.

Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat block diagrams herein can represent conceptual views ofillustrative circuitry or other functional units embodying theprinciples of the technology. Similarly, it will be appreciated that anyflow charts, state transition diagrams, pseudo code, and the likerepresent various processes which may be substantially represented incomputer readable medium and so executed by a computer or processor,whether or not such computer or processor is explicitly shown.

As used herein, the term “device-to-device (“D2D″) communication” mayrefer to a mode of communication between or among wireless terminalsthat operate on a cellular network or other telecommunications system inwhich the communication data traffic from one wireless terminal toanother wireless terminal does not pass through a centralized basestation or other device in the cellular network or othertelecommunications system. The “device-to-device (D2D) communication”encompasses one or both of D2D signaling (e.g., D2D control information)and D2D data. “Device-to-device (“D2D″) communication may also be knownas “sidelink direct” communication (e.g., sidelink communication). Theterm “sidelink direct” may also be shortened to “sidelink”, abbreviatedas “SL”, and as such “sidelink” may be used herein to refer to sidelinkdirect. Yet further, the term “ProSe” (Proximity Services) directcommunication may be used in lieu of sidelink direct communication ordevice-to-device (D2D) communication. Therefore, it is to be understoodthat herein the terms “sidelink direct”, sidelink” (SL), “ProSe” and“device-to-device (D2D)” may be interchangeable and synonymous.

Thus, as mentioned above, device-to-device (D2D) or sidelink directcommunication differs from “WAN” or “Cellular communication” which is orinvolves communication between the base station and the wirelessterminal. In device-to-device (D2D) communication, communication data issent using communication signals and can include voice communications ordata communications intended for consumption by a user of a wirelessterminal. Communication signals may be transmitted directly from a firstwireless terminal to a second wireless terminal via D2D communication.In various aspects, all, some or none of the control signaling relatedto the D2D packet transmission may be managed or generated by theunderlying core network or base station. In additional or alternativeaspects, a receiver user equipment terminal may relay communication datatraffic between a transmitter user equipment terminal and one or moreadditional receiver user equipment terminals.

As used herein, the term “core network” can refer to a device, group ofdevices, or sub-system in a telecommunication network that providesservices to users of the telecommunications network. Examples ofservices provided by a core network include aggregation, authentication,call switching, service invocation, gateways to other networks, etc.

As used herein, the term “wireless terminal” can refer to any electronicdevice used to communicate voice and/or data via a telecommunicationssystem, such as (but not limited to) a cellular network. Otherterminology used to refer to wireless terminals and non-limitingexamples of such devices can include user equipment terminal, UE, mobilestation, mobile device, access terminal, subscriber station, mobileterminal, remote station, user terminal, terminal, subscriber unit,cellular phones, smart phones, personal digital assistants (“PDAs”),laptop computers, tablets, netbooks, e-readers, wireless modems, etc.

As used herein, the term “access node”, “node”, or “base station” canrefer to any device or group of devices that facilitates wirelesscommunication or otherwise provides an interface between a wirelessterminal and a telecommunications system. A non-limiting example of abase station can include, in the 3GPP specification, a Node B (“NB”), anenhanced Node B (“eNB”), a home eNB (“HeNB”), a gNB (for a New Radio[“NR”] technology system), or some other similar terminology. Anothernon-limiting example of a base station is an access point. An accesspoint may be an electronic device that provides access for wirelessterminal to a data network, such as (but not limited to) a Local AreaNetwork (“LAN”), Wide Area Network (“WAN”), the Internet, etc. Althoughsome examples of the systems and methods disclosed herein may bedescribed in relation to given standards (e.g., 3GPP Releases 8, 9, 10,11, 12, 13, and thereafter), the scope of the present disclosure shouldnot be limited in this regard. At least some aspects of the systems andmethods disclosed herein may be utilized in other types of wirelesscommunication systems.

As used herein, the term “telecommunication system” or “communicationssystem” can refer to any network of devices used to transmitinformation. A non-limiting example of a telecommunication system is acellular network or other wireless communication system.

As used herein, the term “cellular network” or “cellular radio accessnetwork” can refer to a network distributed over cells, each cell servedby at least one fixed-location transceiver, such as a base station. A“cell” may be any communication channel that is specified bystandardization or regulatory bodies to be used for International MobileTelecommunications-Advanced (“IMT Advanced”). All or a subset of thecell may be adopted by 3GPP as licensed bands (e.g., frequency band) tobe used for communication between a base station, such as a Node B, anda UE terminal. A cellular network using licensed frequency bands caninclude configured cells. Configured cells can include cells of which aUE terminal is aware and in which it is allowed by a base station totransmit or receive information. Examples of cellular radio accessnetworks include E-UTRAN, and any successors thereof (e.g., NUTRAN).

Vehicle (V2X) communication is described in one or more of the following(all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety):

3GPP TS 36.331 V13.0.0 “Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access(E-UTRA); Radio Resource Control (RRC); Protocol specification”,including but not limited to § 5.10.3 (Sidelink communicationmonitoring), § 5.10.4 (Sidelink communication transmission), and § 9.3.2(pre-configurable parameters).

RP-151109, Feasibility Study on LTE-based V2X Services 3GPP TSG RANMeeting #68, Malmö, Sweden, Jun. 15-18, 2015.

RP-152293, Support for V2V services based on LTE sidelink, 3GPP TSG RANMeeting #70, Sitges, Spain, Dec. 7-10, 2015

3GPP TSG RAN WG1 Meeting #84bis, Busan, Korea 11th-15 Apr. 2016,Chairman notes.

3GPP TR 22.885 V14.0.0 3rd Generation Partnership Project; TechnicalSpecification Group Services and System Aspects; Study on LTE Supportfor V2X Services (Release 14).

Chairman's Notes, RANI #85, Nanjing, China, May 23-May 27, 2016.

RP-161298, “LTE based V2X Services”, Busan, South Korea, Jun. 13-16,2016.

Chairman's Notes, RANI 486, Gothenburg, Sweden, Aug. 22-26, 2016

Vehicle (V2X) communication is a communication that involves a radioconnection established between a transmit device and a receive device(e.g., a wireless terminal or UE), which radio communication may or maynot transit via a base station node of the network, with at least of onethe transmit device and the receive device being mobile, e.g., capableof being moved. Generic V2X encompasses one or more of vehicle toinfrastructure (V2I) communication; vehicle to person/pedestrian (V2P)communication; and vehicle to vehicle (V2V) communication. It isunderstood in the art, and intended herein, that V2X refers to both V2Xand X2V; that V2I refers to both V2I and I2V; that V2P refers to bothV2P and P2V; and so forth.

Generally, there are three general scenarios which may occur in vehicle(V2X) communication. Those three general vehicle (V2X) communicationsscenarios are illustrated in FIG. 1. A first vehicle (V2X) communicationscenario is an “in coverage” vehicle (V2X) communication scenario,illustrated between WT1 and WT2 of FIG. 1, in which both WT1 and WT2 arewithin coverage of the cellular radio access network. A second vehicle(V2X) communication scenario is a “partial coverage” scenario,illustrated between WT2 and WT3 of FIG. 1. In the “partial coverage”vehicle (V2X) communication scenario the wireless terminal WT2 is withincoverage of the cellular radio access network, but the wireless terminalWT3 is out-of-coverage of the cellular radio access network. A thirdvehicle (V2X) communication scenario is an “out-of-coverage” scenario,illustrated between wireless terminal WT3 and wireless terminal WT4 ofFIG. 1. In the out-of-coverage vehicle (V2X) communication scenario boththe wireless terminal WT3 and the wireless terminal WT4 areout-of-coverage of the cellular radio access network.

The three vehicle (V2X) communication scenarios are described withreference to whether or not a participating wireless terminals (e.g.,WTs) are “in coverage” or “out-of-coverage” of one or more cellularradio access networks (which may collectively be referred to as a“cellular radio access network”). For sake of simplicity FIG. 1 depicts“coverage” as being with respect to an access node BS such as eNodeBwhich comprises a cellular radio access network. It should beunderstood, however, that a wireless terminal may also be in coverage ofthe cellular radio access network when served by any cell of thecellular radio access network(s). For example, if wireless terminal WT1and wireless terminal WT2 were served by different cells, whenparticipating in vehicle (V2X) communication the wireless terminal WT1and wireless terminal WT2 would still be in an in coverage vehicle (V2X)communication scenario.

As used herein and as illustrated in FIG. 2, V2X communication may beimplemented in several ways. For illustrative context, FIG. 2illustrates a base station node BS of a cellular radio access networkwhich serves a cell C. The base station BS may communicate with awireless terminal WT_(IC) which is in coverage of the cellular radioaccess network over a radio interface UU. FIG. 2 further shows thatwireless terminal WT_(IC) may engage in vehicle (V2X) communication withone or more other wireless terminals which are outside of coverage ofthe cellular radio access network, particularly wireless terminalWT_(OC1), wireless terminal WT_(OC2), and wireless terminal WT_(OC3). Itis assumed that either wireless terminal WT_(IC), or all of wirelessterminal WT_(OC1), wireless terminal WT_(OC2), and wireless terminalWT_(OC3) are mobile terminals for the communication to be vehicle (V2X)communication. Being “mobile” means that the wireless terminal isprovided or situated in/with a mobile entity, such as a vehicle or aperson.

As a first example implementation, V2X communication may be implementedusing applications and resources of the type that were utilized forsidelink direct (SLD) communication (also known as device-to-device(“D2D”) communication) before introduction of vehicle (V2X)communication. For example, when implemented as part of SLDcommunication the V2X communication may use resources and channels ofthe SLD communication scheme. In such first implementation the V2Xcommunication may be said to be implemented using pre-V2X sidelinkdirect (SLD) protocol and over a pre-V2X sidelink direct (SLD) radiointerface 15SLD.

As a second example implementation, V2X communication may be implementedusing enhanced applications and enhanced resources utilized for sidelinkdirect (SLD) communication, e.g., sidelink direct communicationsaugmented or enhanced with additional capabilities to accommodatevehicle (V2X) communication. In such second implementation the V2Xcommunication may be said to be implemented using enhanced sidelinkdirect (SLD) protocol and over an enhanced sidelink direct (SLD) radiointerface 15SLD*.

As a third example implementation, V2X communication may operateseparately from sidelink direct (SLD) communication by, e.g., havingseparate and dedicated V2X communication resources and channels, and bybeing performed using application software which is specific to V2Xcommunication. In such third implementation the V2X communication may besaid to be implemented using separate vehicle (V2X) communicationsprotocol and over a separate vehicle (V2X) communication radio interface15V2X.

The fact that three example implementations are illustrated in FIG. 2does not mean that a particular wireless terminal has to participate inall three or even two of the example implementations. FIG. 2 simplyindicates the expansive meaning of the term vehicle (V2X) communicationand that the technology disclosed herein encompasses vehicle (V2X)communication in all of its various existing and potentialimplementations.

In sidelink direct communications, a scheduling assignment (SA) is usedto indicate the data radio resources that may be used to carry data in asidelink direct transmission, e.g., to a receiving wireless terminal. Assuch, there may be one or more pools of scheduling assignment (SA) radioresources that are used to carry the scheduling assignment (SA)information, with the scheduling assignment (SA) resources beingdifferent than the data radio resources that are described by thescheduling assignment (SA). The data radio resources typically belong toa data pool (of data radio resources).

Any reference to a “resource” herein means “radio resource” unlessotherwise clear from the context that another meaning is intended. Ingeneral, as used herein a radio resource (“resource”) is atime-frequency unit that can carry information across a radio interface,e.g., either signal information or data information. An example of aradio resource occurs in the context of a “frame” of information that istypically formatted and prepared, e.g., by a node. In Long TermEvolution (LTE) a frame, which may have both downlink portion(s) anduplink portion(s), is communicated between the base station and thewireless terminal. Each LTE frame may comprise plural subframes. Forexample, in the time domain, a 10 ms frame consists of ten onemillisecond subframes. An LTE subframe is divided into two slots (sothat there are thus 20 slots in a frame). The transmitted signal in eachslot is described by a resource grid comprised of resource elements(RE). Each column of the two dimensional grid represents a symbol (e.g.,an OFDM symbol on downlink (DL) from node to wireless terminal; anSC-FDMA symbol in an uplink (UL) frame from wireless terminal to node).Each row of the grid represents a subcarrier. A resource element (RE) isthe smallest time-frequency unit for downlink transmission in thesubframe. That is, one symbol on one sub-carrier in the sub-framecomprises a resource element (RE) which is uniquely defined by an indexpair (k,l) in a slot (where k and l are the indices in the frequency andtime domain, respectively). In other words, one symbol on onesub-carrier is a resource element (RE). Each symbol comprises a numberof sub-carriers in the frequency domain, depending on the channelbandwidth and configuration. The smallest time-frequency resourcesupported by the standard today is a set of plural subcarriers andplural symbols (e.g., plural resource elements (RE)) and is called aresource block (RB). A resource block may comprise, for example, 84resource elements, i.e., 12 subcarriers and 7 symbols, in case of normalcyclic prefix.

One aspect of the technology disclosed herein is a wireless terminalwhich autonomously makes a selection, from radio resources of at leasttwo radio access technologies, of a radio resource(s) for transmissionand/or reception of a message of the V2X communication, e.g., a V2Xmessage. FIG. 3 shows network architecture wherein V2X services areavailable through V2X application server 20 and V2X control function 22to plural user equipment units (UEs) 26A, 26B, 26C, and 26D. The V2Xapplication server 20 is connected to V2X control function 22 overinterface V2, the V2X control function 22 is connected to the UEs 26over interface V3. Of the shown user equipment units, UE 26A and UE 26Bare vehicle user equipment units, UE 26C is a pedestrian user equipment,and UE 26D is a stationary user equipment. The plural user equipmentunits (UEs) 26A, 26B, 26C, and 26D may communicate with each other overa PC5 interface.

Each UE 26 capable of V2X service has an associated V2X application 28which executes, e.g., on processor circuitry of the UE 26. The V2Xapplications 28 of the various user equipment units 26 may communicatewith one another over a V5 interface, and with the V2X applicationserver 20 over a V1 interface.

The user equipment units 26 shown in FIG. 3 communicate with at leastone core network of a first radio access technology type, and may alsocommunicate with a network of a second radio access technology type. Forexample, UE 26A and UE 26D are shown in FIG. 3 as communicating over aradio interface LTE-Uu with E-UTRAN network 30 which represents a firsttype radio access technology (Long Term Evolution). Although not shownas such, other user equipment units of FIG. 3 may also communicate withE-UTRAN network 30. The E-UTRAN network 30 is shown as being connectedover interface S1 to, e.g., a mobility management unit (MME), and theMME in turn being connected over interface S6a to Home Subscriber Server(HSS). The Home Subscriber Server (HSS) is connected by interface V4 toV2X control function 22.

In addition, UE 26A and UE 26B are shown as communicating over a radiointerface NR-Uu with New Radio 5G network 32. The interface NR-Uucorresponds to the Uu interface for LTE but with protocol for NR ratherthan LTE. Although not shown as such in FIG. 3, the NR core network maycomprise nodes comparable in functionality to the MME and HSS as shownfor the LTE network.

The V2X application server 20, V2X control function 22, V2X applications28, V1-V5 interfaces, and various reference points illustrated in FIG. 3are described in 3GPP TS 23.285, v15.1.0 2018-06-19, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Among the referencepoints are those listed in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 V2: The reference point between the V2X Application Server andthe V2X Control Function in the operator's network. The V2X ApplicationServer may connect to V2X Control Functions belonging to multiple PLMNs.V3: The reference point between the UE and the V2X Control Function inUE's home PLMN. It is based on the service authorization andprovisioning part of the PC3 reference point defined in clause 5.2 of TS23.303. It is applicable to both PC5 and LTE-Uu based V2X communicationand optionally MBMS and LTE-Uu based V2X communication. V4: Thereference point between the HSS and the V2X Control Function in theoperator's network. V6: The reference point between the V2X ControlFunction in the HPLMN and the V2X Control Function in the VPLMN. PC5:The reference point between the UEs used for user plane for ProSe DirectCommunication for V2X Service. S6a: In addition to the relevantfunctions defined in TS 23.401 for S6a, in case of V2X Service S6a isused to download V2X Service related subscription information to MMEduring E-UTRAN attach procedure or to inform MME subscriptioninformation in the HSS has changed. S1-MME: In addition to the relevantfunctions defined in TS 23.401 for S1-MME, in case of V2X Service it isalso used to convey the V2X Service authorization from MME to eNodeB.xMB: The reference point between the V2X Application Server (e.g.Content Provider) and the BM-SC, and defined in TS 26.346. MB2: Thereference point between the V2X Application Server and the BM-SC, anddefined in TS 23.468 [7]. SGmb/ The SGmb/SGi-mb/M1/M3 reference pointsare internal to SGi-mb/ the MBMS system and are defined in TS 23.246.M1/M3: LTE-Uu: The reference point between the UE and the E-UTRAN.

FIG. 4 shows various example, representative, non-limiting componentsand functionalities herein pertinent of a generic wireless terminal orvehicle UE 26, such as UE 26A or UE 26B of FIG. 3. The wireless terminal26 comprises transceiver circuitry 40, which in turn comprisestransmitter circuitry 44 and receiver circuitry 46. The transceivercircuitry 40 includes antenna(e) for the wireless terminal 26.Transmitter circuitry 44 includes, e.g., amplifier(s), modulationcircuitry and other conventional transmission equipment. Receivercircuitry 46 comprises, e.g., amplifiers, demodulation circuitry, andother conventional receiver equipment. The transceiver circuitry 40 isconfigured to use resources for communication with a radio accessnetwork, such as E-UTRAN network 30 and/or New Radio 5G network 32, aswell as resources allocated for V2X communication, whether thoseresources be shared with sidelink direct (SLD) communications orseparate and distinct for V2X communication as previously described.

The user equipment 26 further comprises processor circuitry, also hereinknown more simply as UE processor 50, or simply as processor 50. Whileprocessor 50 may have responsibility for operation of many aspects ofwireless terminal 26 not specifically described herein, in one of itsaspects processor 50 serves as UE V2X controller 52 for controllingaspects of vehicle (V2X) communication. As further illustrated in FIG.4, the UE V2X may comprise V2X resource selection controller 54. The UEV2X controller 52 may also comprise, or work in conjunction with framehandler 56 and frame generator 58. In the particular exampleimplementation shown in FIG. 4, the frame handler 56 and frame generator58 are shown as comprising the UE processor 50 for handling frameoperations with respect to transmissions with the radio access networkin addition to the V2X transmissions.

In addition to UE processor circuitry 50, wireless terminal 26 alsocomprises UE memory 60, e.g., memory circuitry, which may store anoperating system and various application programs, such as vehicle V2Xcommunication application 28. The memory 60 may be any suitable type ofmemory, e.g., random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), cachememory, processor register memory, or any combination of one or morememory types. The applications such as V2X application 28 comprisesinstructions executable by processor circuitry 50 and are stored innon-transient portions of memory 60. At least some aspects of UE memory64 may also be considered as part of UE V2X controller 52.

The user equipment 26 further comprises UE user interface(s) 64. Theuser interfaces 64 may comprise one or more suitable input/outputdevices which are operable by a user. Some of all of the user interfaces64 may be realized by a touch sensitive screen. The user interface(s) 64may also comprise a keyboard, audio input and output, and other user I/Odevices. Only a portion of the user interfaces 64 is depicted in FIG. 4,it being understood that the user interfaces 64 may be provided on acover or case of UE 26 and thus may visibly obscure the underlying othercomponents shown in FIG. 4.

The user equipment 26 participates in vehicle-to-anything (V2X)communications, meaning that the user equipment 26 may participate inone or more of vehicle to infrastructure (V2I) communication; vehicle toperson/pedestrian (V2P) communication; and vehicle to vehicle (V2V)communication. FIG. 4 represents the fact that user equipment 26participates in vehicle-to-anything (V2X) communications by showing thePC5 interface through which the user equipment 26 may engage in V2Xcommunication with another user equipment 26. As also shown in FIG. 4,user equipment 26 also engages in communication across a Uu-type radiointerface with a radio access network, such as E-UTRAN network 30 or NewRadio 5G network 32. The UE transceiver circuitry 40 may be involved inboth the radio access network communications over interface Uu and theV2X communications over the PC5 interface. But for the different typesof communications, e.g., communications with a radio access network andV2X communications, different radio resources are utilized. For example,a sub-set of the radio resources of the radio access network, e.g., oneor more “pools” of the radio access network radio resources, may beallocated to the V2X communications, e.g., for 3GPP V2X services.

3GPP V2X services will be used to transport SAE J2735 BSM (Basic SafetyMessage). The BSM has two parts: Part 1 of the BSM (Basic SafetyMessage) includes the core data elements, e.g., vehicle size, position,speed, heading acceleration, brake system status, and is transmittedapproximately 10× per second. BSM (Basic Safety Message) Part 2 includesa variable set of data elements drawn from many optional data elements,and is transmitted less frequently then part 1. The BSM is expected tohave a transmission range of 1,000 meters, and is tailored for localizedbroadcast required by V2V safety applications.

In Rel-14 LTE V2X (aka LTE V2X), a basic set of requirements for V2Xservice in TR 22.885 is supported, which are considered sufficient forbasic road safety service. An LTE V2X enabled vehicle, e.g., a vehicleconfigured with a UE the supports V2X applications, may directlyexchange status information via the PC5 interface. The PC5 interface mayalso be known as sidelink at the physical layer. The status informationexchanged, e.g., via the PC5 interface, may include position, speed andheading, and may be exchanged with other nearby vehicles, infrastructurenodes and/or pedestrians that are also enabled with LTE V2X. However,the LTE V2X transport service is broadcast only, thus no HARQ feedbackis transmitted by the receiving UE. There is HARQ packet combiningprocess at the receiving LTE V2X UE. Thus, in order to increaseprobability of correct demodulation, the LTE V2X retransmits its userdata, e.g. a PSSCH, three times in consecutive subframes, and itscontrol data, e.g. a PSCCH, twice in different subframes, using alwaysQPSK modulation.

In 3GPP Release 16, e.g., Rel-16, the 3GPP Fifth Generation 5G NewRadio, NR, is expected to provide for enhanced V2X service, also knownas NR V2X, which includes a data transport services with much lowerlatency and much higher throughput. See, for example, the SA1 Study onImprovement of V2X Service Handling for Rel-16, also known as FS_V2XIMPor Release 16 (Open)Specification: 22.886—Study on enhancement of 3GPPsupport for 5G V2X services Version: 15.1.0: Specification. Therefore, aHARQ feedback process is expected to be enabled between the transmittingNR V2X UE and the receiving NR V2X UE, which are using NR V2X resources.

Both the LTE V2X service and NR V2X service will be capable oftransporting the BSM (Basic Safety Message) over the legacy PC5 basedLTE V2X communication channel. In this regard, TSG RAN has agreed in TR38.913 that NR V2X not replace the services offered by LTE V2X. Instead,the NR V2X shall complement LTE V2X for advanced V2X services andsupport interworking with LTE V2X. Thus, given the enhancements expectedfor NR V2X service, and the agreement that NR V2X service will provide asuper set of the services provided by LTE V2X service, there will bedeployments of the following:

-   -   NR V2X and LTE V2X where an NR V2X LTE can to send a BSM to a        LTE V2X UE using LTE type resources, e.g. LTE numerology, LTE        SCS, e.g., 15 kHz, LTE frequency, e.g., LTE frequency band).    -   NR V2X and NR V2X where an NR V2X UE can to send a BSM to a NR        V2X UE using LTE type resources, e.g. LTE numerology, LTE SCS,        e.g., 15 kHz, LTE frequency, e.g., LTE frequency band.    -   NR V2X and NR V2X where an NR V2X UE can to send a BSM to a NR        V2X UE using both NR and LTE type resources, e.g. LTE/NR        numerology, LTE/NR SCS, e.g., 15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz, 120 kHz,        and/or 240 kHz, LTE/NR frequency, e.g., LTE/NR frequency band.

Returning now to FIG. 4, the UE processor 50 is configured toautonomously make a selection, from radio resources of at least tworadio access technologies, of a radio resources) for transmission and/orreception of a V2X message. A non-limiting example of such a V2X messagemay be a V2X basic safety message, BSM, such as that discussed above.The technology disclosed herein encompasses all appropriate V2Xmessages. Other non-limiting examples of V2X messages to which thetechnology disclosed herein pertains may include one or more of thefollowing:

At the V2X application layer:

-   -   Common Awareness Messages (CAM)    -   Decentralized Environmental Notification Messages (DENM)    -   Traffic signal phase and timing (SPaT)

At the PC5 control plane, messages in the class of:

-   -   SBCCH-SL-BCH-Message-V2X-r14

In sending a V2X message, the UE processor 50 may execute V2X messageresource selection procedure 70 to determine if the V2X message is to betransported between 3GPP V2X services using radio resources of a firstradio access technology or radio resources of a second radio accesstechnology. A portion of the UE processor 50 known as the UE V2Xcontroller 52, and particularly a V2X message resource selector 72, mayperform the V2X message resource selection procedure 70. For example, inan example scenario in which the two radio access technologies includeLTE and NR, the V2X message resource selector 72 executes a resourceselection procedure 70 to determine if the BSM is to be transportedbetween 3GPP V2X services using NR type resources or LTE type resourcesor both NR and LTE type resources. The user equipment 26 of FIG. 4further comprises the transmitter 44 and/or receiver 46 which isconfigured to use the selected radio resource(s) for the transmissionand/or reception of the V2X message.

The LTE specification TS23.285 specified a “V2X Control Function” as thelogical function used for network related actions required for V2X, andthat the V2X Control Function is used to provision the UE with necessaryparameters that enable the UE to use V2X communication. The UE V2Xcontroller 52 performs similar functions as specified in TS23.285 for UE26, but the UE V2X controller 52 further serves as a NR V2X ControlFunction with the V2X message resource selector 72 making adetermination if the V2X message (e.g., Basic Safety Message, forexample) is to be transported using NR resources, or LTE resources, orboth NR and LTE type services and resources.

The UE V2X controller 52, serving as a NR V2X Control Function, mayenable or provide the NR V2X UE 26 with parameters for using NR or LTEor both NR and LTE transmission resources, and may provide an additionalset of parameters related to QoS, or radio propagation conditions. TheV2X message resource selector 72 is thereby enabled to make anautonomous determination of which resources, enabled by the UE V2Xcontroller 52, to use for the transport of the V2X message. In otherwords, the UE is enabled to make an autonomous determination of whichresources to use based on its current local radio frequency, RF, andtraffic conditions.

In one of its example aspects, the technology disclosed herein includesthe UE 26 making a determination of which resource to use (NR or LTE orboth NR and LTE) to transport the V2X message over the PC5-based V2Xcommunication channel, per the parameters provided by UE V2X controller52, and a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request, HARQ, function between the NRUE transmitting V2X data on PC5 and the NR UE receiving the V2X data onPC5, and S-Measurement taken on the E-UTRA carrier frequency used forPC5. The UE 26 of FIG. 4 is thus shown as further comprising both HARQfunctionality 74 and signal measurement functionality 76. In an exampleimplementation shown in FIG. 4, HARQ functionality 74 and signalmeasurement functionality 76 comprise UE processor 50, since these unitsmay be involved in operations concerning transmissions with the radioaccess network as well as V2X HARQ and signal measurement functions.

FIG. 5A shows basic, representative acts or steps performed by the userequipment 26 of FIG. 4. Act 5A-1 comprises UE processor 50 autonomouslymaking a selection, from radio resources of at least two radio accesstechnologies, of a radio resource(s) for transmission and/or receptionof a V2X message. Act 5A-2 comprises using the selected radioresource(s) for the transmission and/or reception of the V2X message.For example, either the transmitter circuitry 44 may transmit, or thereceiver circuitry 46 may receive, the V2X message using the selectedradio resource(s).

In an example embodiment and mode, the UE processor 50, and V2X messageresource selector 72 in particular, is configured to make the selectionof radio resources for the V2X message, e.g., to perform act 5A-1 ofFIG. 5A, by obtaining quality of service, e.g., QoS, information for aV2X-utilized channel obtained from each of the two radio accesstechnologies, and then making a comparison of (1) quality of service,e.g., QoS, information for a V2X-utilized channel obtained from each ofthe two radio access technologies and (2) a set of thresholds. FIG. 5Bthus shows basic acts or steps including act 5A-1-1 and 5A-1-2. Act5A-1-1 comprises obtaining quality of service information for aV2X-utilized channel obtained from each of the two radio accesstechnologies. Act 5A-1-2 comprises making a comparison of (1) thequality of service information for a V2X-utilized channel obtained fromeach of the two radio access technologies, e.g., the QoS informationobtained at act 5A-1-1, and (2) a set of thresholds.

As explained herein, the quality of service, e.g., QoS, information fora V2X-utilized channel may be obtained from the HARQ functionality 74and the signal measurement functionality 76. The set of thresholdscomprises a respective threshold for the quality of service informationobtained from each of the two radio access technologies. To this end,FIG. 4 shows the V2X message resource selector 72 as having access toconfigured threshold table 80 storing threshold information. For examplescenarios described herein in which the V2X message is typified as aBasic Safety Message (BSM), the configured threshold table 80 may alsobe referred to as “BSM_QoS_Table”. From configured table 80 the V2Xmessage resource selector 72 determines or obtains at least oneparticular set(s) of thresholds to be used for the comparison with theQoS information.

In an example embodiment and mode, for a first radio access technologythe quality of service information may comprise error rate and delayrate for the V2X-utilized channel, and for a second radio accesstechnology the quality of service information may comprise a receivedsignal measurement for the V2X-utilized channel. In such exampleembodiment and mode, and as shown in FIG. 6A, a set of thresholds 82 maycomprise at least a triology of values: a threshold for error rate forthe V2X-utilized channel, e.g., T-error_rate; a threshold for delay ratefor the V2X-utilized channel, e.g., T-delay_rate; and, a threshold forthe received signal measurement for the V2X-utilized channel, e.g.,T-RSRP. Although the received signal measurement is represented asreference signal received power, RSRP, any other measure of signalstrength or quality may be utilized, such as, for example, referencesignal received quality, RSRQ. In an example, non-limitingimplementation of this example embodiment and mode, the first radioaccess technology may be New Radio (NR) 5G, wherein for the comparisonwith the thresholds the error rate and delay rate for the first radioaccess technology are reported by HARQ functionality 74, and the secondradio access technology may be Long Term Evolution (LTE) wherein thesignal measurement is reported by signal measurement functionality 76,and the V2X-utilized channel is a Sidelink PC5 channel.

In an example embodiment and mode, illustrated in FIG. 6B, theconfigured threshold table 80 may comprise plural sets of thresholds. Inthe FIG. 6B example implementation, the configured threshold table 80may be a two-dimensional matrix with each column of the matrixcorresponding to a set of thresholds, e.g., set 82 ₁, set 82 ₂, and soforth to set 82 _(n). In the FIG. 6B implementation, the V2X messageresource selector 72 utilizes at least one particular set of thresholdsto be used for the comparison with the QoS information. The particularset of thresholds 82 that the V2X message resource selector 72 is toobtain from the configured threshold table 80 is indicated to the V2Xmessage resource selector 72 by an “index” value, also known as a “tableindex”. For example, FIG. 6B shows by index arrow 84 _(A) that a tableindex specifies that the second column of configured threshold table 80,e.g., a second set of thresholds, is to be utilized for the comparison.

As explained herein, the V2X message resource selector 72 may make morethan one comparison, and accordingly more than one column of theconfigured threshold table 80 may be used by V2X message resourceselector 72 for obtaining more than one set of thresholds 82.Accordingly, FIG. 6B shows plural index arrows, e.g., index arrow 84_(A) and index arrow 84 _(B), which are represent or point to two set ofthresholds 82, e.g., set of thresholds 82 ₂ and set of thresholds 82 ₃,respectively, which are utilized in the V2X message resource selectionprocedure 70.

In view of the fact that each set of thresholds 82 comprises pluralthresholds, e.g., a threshold for error rate, a threshold for delayrate, and a threshold for RSRP, for example, each set may be viewed asrepresenting or providing a composite threshold which is essentially theunion or superposition of all thresholds of the set. For example, inpointing to the second column of FIG. 6B, the index arrow 84 _(A)essentially designates a composite threshold A, which is the union ofthe three separate thresholds T-ERROR_RATE₂, T-DELAY_RATE₂, and T-RSRP₂.Such composite threshold A is herein also referred to more simply as“threshold A”. Likewise, in pointing to the third column of FIG. 6B, theindex arrow 84 _(B) essentially designates a composite threshold B,which is the union of the three separate thresholds T-ERROR_RATE₃,T-DELAY_RATE, and T-RSRP₃. Such composite threshold B is herein alsoreferred to more simply as “threshold B”. It should be understood thatthe index arrows 84 may point to other columns of configured thresholdtable 80 in other scenarios and at other times.

The configured threshold table 80 may either be pre-configured at theuser equipment 26 or configured by a network. Being “pre-configured”means that the configured threshold table 80 may be loaded into the UEmemory 60 at time of manufacture, initial startup, or refurbishment ofuser equipment 26. Being “configured by a network” means that theconfigured threshold table 80 is transmitted to the user equipment 26 bya network using, e.g., techniques and/or messages and/or systeminformation blocks, SIBs, as herein described.

FIG. 7A describes an example, non-limiting, embodiment and mode of aninstance of a V2X message resource selection procedure 70. For sake ofdiscussion, in each of FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, and FIG. 7C, it is presumedthat, by way of non-limiting example, an instance of the V2X messageresource selection procedure 70 is executed for the purpose of selectingresources for a V2X basic safety message (BSM). Certain aspects of a V2Xbasic safety message (BSM) have been described above. It should beunderstood that the example of a BSM (Basic Safety Message) isillustrated in FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, and FIG. 7C just to represent or typifythe selection of resources of any appropriate V2X message, e.g., anytype of V2X message. Thus the technology disclosed herein, althoughencompassing the BSM (Basic Safety Message), is not limited thereto.Moreover, the instance of the V2X message resource selection procedure70 is described herein by way of example as using New Radio as a firstradio technology type and LTE as a second radio technology type. Itshould be understood that these radio technology types are merelyillustrative and representative, and that in other embodiments and modesone or more other radio technologies may be utilized instead.

The beginning of the V2X message resource selection procedure 70 isindicated by act 7A-1. As act 7A-2, the V2X message resource selectionprocedure 70 checks if a BSM (Basic Safety Message) is to betransported. As mentioned above, for sake of representative example FIG.7A, FIG. 7B, and FIG. 7C describe the handling of a BSM (Basic SafetyMessage) as one type of V2X message that is handled by the V2X messageresource selection procedure 70. If a BSM (Basic Safety Message) is notto be sent, the instance of the V2X message resource selection procedure70 is terminated at act 7A-16. But if a BSM (Basic Safety Message) is tobe sent, the V2X message resource selection procedure 70 checks at act7A-3 whether both LTE and NR resource pools are available to beutilized, if justified by the conditions imposed on V2X message resourceselection procedure 70. If both LTE and NR resource pools are notavailable, V2X message resource selection procedure 70 continues itsexecution at act 7A-4. In other words, if only one of LTE resource poolsand NR resource pools are available, but not both, execution continuesit at act 7A-4.

As act 7A-4 the V2X message resource selection procedure 70 determineswhether LTE resource pools are available. If it is determined at act7A-4 that LTE resource pools are available, as act 7A-5 the V2X messageresource selection procedure 70 specifies that LTE resources are to beused for transmitting the BSM (Basic Safety Message). Thereafter, asindicated by act 5A-2 of FIG. 5A, the BSM (Basic Safety Message) istransmitted by transmitter circuitry 44, after which the instance of theV2X message resource selection procedure 70 terminates at act 7A-16.

If it is determined at act 7A-4 that LTE resource pools are notavailable, then as act 7A-6 the V2X message resource selection procedure70 confirms that NR resource pools are available. If act 7A-6 confirmsthat NR resource pools are available, as act 7A-7 the V2X messageresource selection procedure 70 specifies that NR resources are to beused for transmitting the BSM (Basic Safety Message). Thereafter, asindicated by act 5A-2 of FIG. 5A, the BSM (Basic Safety Message) istransmitted by transmitter circuitry 44, after which the instance of theV2X message resource selection procedure 70 terminates at act 7A-16.

Should be determined at act 7A-3 that both LTE resource pools and NRresource pools are available, as act 7A-8 the V2X message resourceselection procedure 70 checks if the network, e.g., a gNB node, hasprovided a configured threshold table 80. As indicated in FIG. 7A, FIG.7B, and FIG. 7C and explained above, when dealing with the example of aBSM (Basic Safety Message) as the representative V2X message, theconfigured threshold table 80 may also be referred to as“BSM_QoS_Table”. If the configured threshold table 80 has been providedby the network, as act 7A-9 the V2X message resource selection procedure70 uses the network-provided configured threshold table 80, e.g., thenetwork-provided “BSM_QoS_Table” and thereafter continues execution atact 7A-12. On the other hand, if a configured threshold table 80 has notbeen provided by the network, as act 7A-10 the V2X message resourceselection procedure 70 checks to determine if a default configuredthreshold table 80, e.g., a “BSM_QoS_Table” exists, e.g., has beenpreconfigured at user equipment 26. If there is no default configuredthreshold table 80, execution ends at act 7A-16. But if the defaultconfigured threshold table 80 does exist, as act 7A-11 the V2X messageresource selection procedure 70 uses a default configured thresholdtable 80, and thereafter continues execution at act 7A-12.

As act 7A-12 the V2X message resource selection procedure 70 determineswhether the network has provided at least one table index, such as indexarrow 84 _(A) shown in FIG. 6B. If no table index has been provided bythe network, this instance of V2X message resource selection procedure70 terminates at act 7A-16. If at least one table index has beenprovided by the network, as act 7A-13 the V2X message resource selectionprocedure 70 checks whether two table indices have in fact been providedby the network. The situation of two table indices being provided hasbeen illustrated by way of example in FIG. 6C, in which both index arrow84 _(A) and index arrow 84 _(B) are provided. If it turns out that justone table index has been provided, the acts of FIG. 7B are performed asrepresented by act 7A-14. On the other hand, if two table indices havebeen provided, the acts of FIG. 7C are performed as represented by act7A-15.

FIG. 7B shows acts performed in a situation in which only one tableindex is provided. The one table index, represented by index arrow 84_(A) of FIG. 6B, is provided for accessing a set of thresholds 82, e.g.,a first composite threshold A, from the configured threshold table 80.The routine of FIG. 7B begins at act 7B-1, after which, as act 7B-2, theV2X message resource selection procedure 70 obtains the packet delay andpacket error date from the NR PC5 channel HARQ process, e.g., from HARQfunctionality 74. Then, as act 7B-3, the V2X message resource selectionprocedure 70 obtains the signal measurement, e.g., S_measure, for theLTE PC5 channel, e.g., from signal measurement functionality 76. Asindicated above, the S_measure may be, for example, referenced signalreceived power (RSRP). Then, as act 7B-4, the V2X message resourceselection procedure 70 sets a parameter Index_A to the table index whichwas obtained from the network (as determined at act 7A-12).

FIG. 8A illustrates the use of a single table index, e.g., Index_A, inthe manner of FIG. 7B. FIG. 8A shows that (1) only LTE resources areutilized for the V2X message when threshold A is satisfied for LTE only;(2) both LTE and NR resources are utilized for the V2X message when thethreshold A is satisfied for either (a) NR or (b) both NR and LTE; and(3) both NR resources and LTE resources are utilized for the V2X messagewhen the threshold A is not satisfied for both LTE and NR. It should beremembered that the threshold A is a consolidated threshold, thatrepresents each of plural QoS parameters satisfying their respectivethresholds as specified in the set of thresholds 82 specified in theconfigured threshold table 80 by the index arrow 84.

FIG. 7B shows the V2X message resource selection procedure 70 as act7B-5 checking to determine if the signal measurement is less than therespective indexed-indicated threshold RSRP; as act 7B-6 checking todetermine if the HARQ-reported delay rate, Packet_Delay, exceeds therespective indexed-indicated threshold T-DELAY_RATE, and as act 7B-7checking to determine if the HARQ-reported error rate, Packet Error,exceeds the respective indexed-indicated threshold T-ERROR_RATE. If thedeterminations of act 7B-5, 7B-6, and 7B-7 are all affirmative, then thecomposite threshold A is not satisfied for both LTE and NR. Accordingly,as shown in FIG. 8A, with quality of service not exceeding the thresholdA, both NR and LTE resources are utilized for transmitting the V2Xmessage over the PC5 interface, as also shown by act 7B-8.

On the other hand, if the determinations of any of act 7B-5, 7B-6, and7B-7 are negative then act 7B-9 is next executed (as indicated by symbol7B′). FIG. 7B shows the V2X message resource selection procedure 70 asact 7B-9 checking to determine if the signal measurement equals orexceeds the respective indexed-indicated threshold RSRP; as act 7B-10checking to determine if the HARQ-reported delay rate, Packet_Delay,exceeds the respective indexed-indicated threshold T-DELAY_RATE, and asact 7B-11 checking to determine if the HARQ-reported error rate, PacketError, exceeds the respective indexed-indicated threshold T-ERROR_RATE.If the determinations of act 7B-9, 7B-10, and 7B-11 are all affirmative,then the composite threshold A is satisfied, so that as act 7B-12 LTEresources are used for transmitting the BSM (Basic Safety Message) overthe PC5 interface. On the other hand, if any of the determinations ofact 7B-9, 7B-10, and 7B-11 are negative, then as act 7B-13 NR resourcesare used for transmitting the BSM (Basic Safety Message) over the PC5interface. After the transmission of the BSM (Basic Safety Message),which is also shown act 5A-2, this instance of V2X message resourceselection procedure 70 terminates as indicated by act 7A-16.

FIG. 7C shows acts performed in a situation in which two table indicesare provided. The two table indices, represented by index arrow 84 _(A)and by index arrow 84 _(B) of FIG. 6C, are provided for accessing twosets of thresholds 82, e.g., a first composite threshold A and a secondcomposite threshold B, from the configured threshold table 80. Theroutine of FIG. 7C begins at act 7C-1, after which, as act 7C-2, the V2Xmessage resource selection procedure 70 obtains the packet delay andpacket error date from the NR PC5 channel HARQ process, e.g., from HARQfunctionality 74. Then, as act 7C-3, the V2X message resource selectionprocedure 70 obtains the signal measurement, e.g., S_measure, for theLTE PC5 channel, e.g., from signal measurement functionality 76. Asindicated above, the S_measure may be, for example, referenced signalreceived power (RSRP). Then, as act 7C-4, the V2X message resourceselection procedure 70 sets a parameter Index_A to the first table indexwhich was obtained from the network, and as act 7C-5 sets a parameterIndex_B to the second table index which was obtained from the network.

FIG. 8B illustrates the use of two table indices, e.g., Index_A andIndex B, in the manner of FIG. 7C. FIG. 8B shows that only LTE resourcesare utilized when the quality of service is above the compositethreshold B and composite threshold A is satisfied for both NR and, thecomposite threshold B being indicated by the index arrow 84 _(B) andIndex B. FIG. 8B further shows that both NR resources and LTE resourcesare utilized for the V2X message when the quality of service, QoS, isbelow the threshold A for both NR and LTE. FIG. 8B further shows, in theregion between composite threshold A and composite threshold B, that:(1) LTE resources are used when composite threshold A is satisfied forLTE only; (2) NR resources are used when composite threshold A issatisfied for NR only; and, (3) NR resources are used when compositethreshold A is satisfied for LTE only. It should be remember that boththe threshold A and the threshold B are composite thresholds: thatthreshold A represents plural QoS parameters satisfying their respectivethresholds as specified in the set of thresholds 82 specified in theconfigured threshold table 80 by the index arrow 84 _(A); and thatthreshold B represents plural QoS parameters satisfying their respectivethresholds as specified in the set of thresholds 82 specified in theconfigured threshold table 80 by the index arrow 84 _(B).

FIG. 7C shows the V2X message resource selection procedure 70 as act7C-6 checking to determine if the signal measurement is less than therespective indexed-indicated threshold RSRP pointed to by Index A; asact 7C-7 checking to determine if the HARQ-reported delay rate,Packet_Delay, exceeds the respective indexed-indicated thresholdT-DELAY_RATE pointed to by Index A, and as act 7C-8 checking todetermine if the HARQ-reported error rate, Packet_Error, exceeds therespective indexed-indicated threshold T-ERROR_RATE pointed to by IndexA. If the determinations of act 7C-6, 7C-7, and 7C-8 are allaffirmative, then the composite threshold A is not satisfied for bothLTE and NR. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 8A, with quality of servicenot exceeding the threshold A, both NR and LTE resources are utilizedfor transmitting the V2X message over the PC5 interface, as also shownby act 7C-9.

On the other hand, if the determinations of any of act 7C-6, 7C-7, and7C-8 are negative then act 7C-10 is next executed. FIG. 7C shows the V2Xmessage resource selection procedure 70 as act 7C-10 checking todetermine if the signal measurement equals or exceeds the respectiveindexed-indicated threshold RSRP pointed to by Index A; as act 7C-11checking to determine if the HARQ-reported delay rate, Packet_Delay,exceeds the respective indexed-indicated threshold T-DELAY_RATE pointedto by Index A, and as act 7C-12 checking to determine if theHARQ-reported error rate, Packet Error, exceeds the respectiveindexed-indicated threshold T-ERROR_RATE pointed to by Index A. If thedeterminations of act 7C-10, 7C-11, and 7C-12 are all affirmative, thenas act 7C-13 LTE resources are used for transmitting the BSM (BasicSafety Message) over the PC5 interface.

On the other hand, if any of the determinations of act 7C-10, 7C-11, and7C-12 are negative, then act 7C-14 is next performed. FIG. 7C shows theV2X message resource selection procedure 70 as act 7C-14 checking todetermine if the signal measurement is less than the respectiveindexed-indicated threshold RSRP pointed to by Index A; as act 7C-15checking to determine if the HARQ-reported delay rate, Packet_Delay,equals or is less than the respective indexed-indicated thresholdT-DELAY_RATE pointed to by Index A, and as act 7C-16 checking todetermine if the HARQ-reported error rate, Packet Error, equals or isless than the respective indexed-indicated threshold T-ERROR_RATEpointed to by Index A. If the determinations of act 7C-14, 7C-15, and7C-16 are all affirmative, then as act 7C-17 NR resources are used fortransmitting the BSM (Basic Safety Message) over the PC5 interface.

If any of the determinations of act 7C-14, 7C-15, and 7C-16 arenegative, then act 7C-18 is next performed. FIG. 7C shows the V2Xmessage resource selection procedure 70 as act 7C-18 checking todetermine if the signal measurement is greater than the respectiveindexed-indicated threshold RSRP pointed to by Index B. If thedetermination of act 7C-18 is affirmative, then as act 7C-19 LTEresources are used for transmitting the BSM (Basic Safety Message) overthe PC5 interface. On the other hand, if the determination of act 7C-18is negative, then as act 7C-20 NR resources are used for transmittingthe BSM (Basic Safety Message) over the PC5 interface.

It was mentioned above that the configured threshold table 80 may be“configured by a network”, e.g., transmitted to the user equipment 26 bya network. As described herein, the configured threshold table 80 may betransmitted to the user equipment 26 by a network using a unicastmessage or a broadcast message. A non-limiting example of a unicastmessage which transmits the configured threshold table 80 may be anRRC_Reconfiguration message, for example. A non-limiting example of abroadcast message which transmits the configured threshold table 80 maybe system information block, SIB. These and other example messages andtechniques for transmitting and receiving the configured threshold table80 are described herein.

In an example embodiment and mode, the user equipment 26 may, atdifferent times, receive the configured threshold table 80 in differentways, e.g., by different types of messages. For example, the userequipment 26 may at an earlier time receive a first version of aconfigured threshold table 80 in a broadcast message, and thereafterreceive another or section version of the configured threshold table 80in a unicast message. In such situation, regardless of when theconfigured threshold tables were generated, the version received in aunicast message is prioritized over a version received in a broadcastmessage. That is, the version received in the unicast message is usedinstead of the version received in the broadcast message. However,should yet another version of the configured threshold table 80 be laterobtained by a broadcast message from a new macrocell, the version of theconfigured threshold table 80 received from the new macrocell via thebroadcast message has priority and therefore will be utilized.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example, representative, generic network node 90which generates and/or transmits information to enable user equipment 26to select resources, from at least radio access technologies, for a V2Xmessage. The network node 90 comprises both node processor circuitry 92and node interface circuitry 94. The node interface circuitry 94 maycomprise node transmitter circuitry 96 and node receiver circuitry 98for communication with other nodes and/or ultimately or immediately withuser equipment 26.

FIG. 9 further shows node processor circuitry 92 as comprising parametergenerator 120. The parameter generator 120 may generate one or moredifferent types of parameters or information for transmission to theuser equipment 26 in conjunction with the user equipment 26 selectingresources, from plural radio access technology types, for use intransmitting or receiving a V2X message. Examples of the parameters thatmay be generated by the parameter generator 120 include the configuredthreshold table 80 which may transmitted to the user equipment 26, andone or more table indices, such as the Index A (see FIG. 6B, FIG. 7B,and FIG. 8A) and the Index B (see FIG. 6C, FIG. 7C, and FIG. 8B).Optionally, the parameters generated by parameter generator 120 mayinclude an indication of pools of radio resources from which the radioresource(s) for transmission and/or reception of the V2X message of theV2X communication may be selected. As explained below, the parameter(s)generated by parameter generator 120 may be transmitted to the userequipment 26 in one or more different types of messages, such as aunicast message or a broadcast message.

It should be understood that in some example embodiments and modes theparameter(s) generated by parameter generator 120 of network node 90 mayactually be transmitted to user equipment 26 through the intermediary ofa radio access network node, such as access node 130 shown in FIG. 9.The access node 130 may be a base station node, such as an eNodeB (e.g.,eNB) or gNB, for example, or another wireless terminal. The node 130comprises an interface 131 for communicating with the network node 90,access node processor circuitry 132, and access node transceivercircuitry 134. The access node transceiver circuitry 134 in turncomprises access node transmitter circuitry 136 and access node receivercircuitry 138. The access node processor circuitry 132 comprises accessnode frame/message generator 140. The access node 130 receives theparameters generated by parameter generator 120 through interface 131,and conveys same to the access node frame/message generator 140. Theaccess node frame/message generator 140 generates the message,illustrated as message 150, that is transmitted by access nodetransmitter circuitry 136, for conveying to user equipment 26 theparameters that are utilized by the V2X message resource selectionprocedure 70, e.g., one or both of the configured threshold table 80 andthe table index(ices).

Thus, concerning the configured threshold table 80, the network node 90comprises parameter generator 120 which may generate, e.g., a set ofthresholds. As understood from the preceding discussion, the set ofthresholds may be configured for comparison by a user equipment withquality of service information obtained from each of at least two radioaccess technologies in conjunction with the user equipment making aselection, from radio resources of the at least two radio accesstechnologies, of a radio resource(s) for transmission and/or receptionof a V2X message of the V2X communication. The node interface circuitry94 of network node 90 transmits the set of thresholds ultimately to anode of a radio access network, such as access node 130, which is radiocommunication with the user equipment.

FIG. 10 illustrates example, representative, basic acts or stepsperformed by the network node 90 of FIG. 9. Act 10-1 comprises usingprocessor circuitry to generate a set of thresholds. As previouslyexplained, the set of thresholds are configured for comparison by a userequipment with quality of service information obtained from each of atleast two radio access technologies in conjunction with the userequipment making a selection, from radio resources of the at least tworadio access technologies, of a radio resource(s) for transmissionand/or reception of a V2X message of the V2X communication. Act 10-2comprises transmitting the set of thresholds ultimately to a node of aradio access network that is in radio communication with the userequipment.

One example, non-limiting role of access node 130 is thus to include theset of thresholds acquired from network node 90 in a message, such asmessage 150 shown in FIG. 9, to user equipment 26. As mentioned above,the set of thresholds included in the message 150 by access node 130 isconfigured for comparison by user equipment 26 with quality of serviceinformation obtained from each of at least two radio access technologiesin conjunction with the user equipment making a selection, from radioresources of the at least two radio access technologies, of a radioresource(s) for transmission and/or reception of a V2X message of theV2X communication. The access node transmitter circuitry 136 of accessnode 130 serves, e.g., to transmit the message comprising the set ofthresholds over a radio interface, e.g., interface Uu, to the userequipment 26.

Thus, in one of its example aspects, the technology disclosed hereinprovides configuration data into the NR_V2X_QoS process, e.g., to UE V2Xcontroller 52, via a reuse and enhancement to the autonomous resourceselection content of a particular information element, e.g., IESL-CommTxPoolSensingConfig-14. In yet another aspect, the technologydisclosed herein reuses the Rel-14 SIB21 to transport theSL-CommTxPoolSensingConfig-14 information element.

In an example implementation, an information element is used to carryinformation regarding UE autonomous resource selection. For presentpurpose, such information element is called “IE SLCommTxPoolSensingConfig-16”. In another of its example aspects, thetechnology disclosed herein refers to a system information block (SIB)that carries the new IE SL CommTxPoolSensingConfig-16 as “SIBx-NR-V2X”.One enhancement to CommTxPoolSensingConfig-16 is the inclusion of newconfiguration elements for defining a QoS threshold.

As understood from the foregoing and employed in the examples below, theQoS elements may be captured in the table BSM_QoS_Table, e.g.,configured threshold table 80, and the thresholds are indicated by thetable index(ices), e.g., BSM_QoS_Index_A and BSM_QoS_Index_B. Each entryin the BSM_QoS_Table may comprise data objects. The examples of FIG. 6Band FIG. 6B show each entry, e.g., each set of thresholds 82, ascomprising three data objects. More data objects may be included, suchas (unillustrated in FIG. 6B and FIG. 6C) a first data object whichspecifies the Resource Type, which can take a value of [GRB, non-GBR]. Asecond data object also unillustrated in FIG. 6B and FIG. 6C, isScheduling priority, which can take a value in the range of [0.0 to99.5]. A third data object may be Packet Delay Budget, which can take avalue in the range of [0 to 1000 ms]. A fourth data object may be thePacket Error Rate, which can take a value in the range of [10⁻¹ to10⁻⁹]. The BSM_QoS_Index_A and BSM_QoS_Index_B are indices that pointinto the BSM_QoS_Table, and indicates which entry of the BSM_QoS_Tableis to be used by the NR_V2X_QoS process.

As mentioned above, the NR user equipment 26 may be pre-configured withthe threshold table 80, and that the signaled threshold table 80 maytake precedence over the pre-configuration. Moreover, the configuredthreshold table 80, and Index_A and Index_B may be sent to the UE aspart of an RRC_Reconfiguration message, in which case the UE 26 will usethat data instead of the data sent in the SIBx-NR-V2X message until UEreceives a new SIBx-NR-V2X from a different gNB.

FIG. 11 shows an example, non-limiting illustration of an informationelement SL-CommTxPoolSensingConfig-r16, with the addition ofBSM_QoS_Table and BSM_QoS_Index_A and BSM_QoS_Index_B.

As described above, the UE 26 may perform the sidelink communication byusing LTE type resources (LTE resources), NR type resources (NRresources), or LTE and NR type resources (LTE and NR resources). Forexample, the UE may switch the resources used for the sidelinkcommunication, based on the conditions (e.g., the conditions configuredby the gNB.

It was mentioned above that the parameter generator 120 may generate anindication of resource pools from which the resource(s) to be used forthe V2X message may be selected. Accordingly:

-   -   In case that LTE resources (e.g., LTE resource pools) are used,        the UE may receive, based on a parameter (e.g., v2x-RxPool-LTE),        the sidelink communication (e.g., the sidelink communication        monitoring). In case that LIE resources (e.g., LTE resource        pools) are used, the UE may transmit, based on a parameter        (e.g., v2x-TxPool-LTE), the sidelink communications. For        example, if the UE is configured to receive the sidelink        communication, the UE may use the LIE resources based on the        parameter (e.g., v2x-RxPool-LTE). Also, if UE is configured to        transmit the sidelink communication, the UE may use the LIE        resources based on the parameter (e.g., v2x-TxPool-LIE).    -   In case that NR resources (e.g., NR resource pools) are used,        the UE may receive, based on a parameter (e.g., v2x-RxPool-NR),        the sidelink communication (e.g., the sidelink communication        monitoring). Also, in case that NR resources (e.g., NR resource        pools) are used, the UE may transmit, based on a parameter        (e.g., v2x-TxPool-NR), the sidelink communications. For example,        if the UE is configured to receive the sidelink communication,        the UE may use the NR resources based on the parameter (e.g.,        v2x-RxPool-NR). Also, if the UE is configured to transmit the        sidelink communication, the UE may use the NR resources based on        the parameter (e.g., v2x-TxPool-NR).    -   in case that LIE and/or NR resources (e.g., LIE resource pools        and/or NR resource pools) are used, the UE may receive, based on        a parameter (e.g., v2x-RxPool-LTE and/or v2x-RxPool-NR), the        sidelink communication (e.g., the sidelink communication        monitoring), as described above. Also, in case that LTE and/or        NR resources (e.g., LIE resource pools and/or NR resource pools)        are used, the LT may transmit, based on a parameter (e.g.,        v2x-TxPool-LTE, and/or v2x-TxPool-NR), the sidelink        communications, as described above. For example, if the UE is        configured to receive the sidelink communication, the LE may use        LTE and/or NR resources based on the parameter v2x-RxPool-LTE,        and/or v2x-RxPool-NR). Also, if the UE is configured to transmit        the sidelink communication, the UE may use LTE and/or NR        resources based on the parameter (e.g., v2x-TxPool-LTE, and/or        v2x-TxPool-NR).

Thus, the parameters “v2x-TxPool-LTE”, and/or “v2x-TxPool-NR” may beused for indicating the resources by which the UE is allowed to transmitthe sidelink communication. Also, the parameters “v2x-RxPool-LTE”,and/or “v2x-RxPool-NR” may be used for indicating the resources by whichthe UE is allowed to receive the sidelink communication. The maximumnumber of resource pools for “v2x-TxPool-LTE”, “v2x-TxPool-NR”,“v2x-RxPool-LTE”, and/or “v2x-RxPool-NR” may be independently defined(e.g., configured). Namely, the different maximum number of pools forLTE resources (e.g., transmission pools and/or reception pools) and/orNR resources (e.g., transmission pools and/or reception pools) may bedefined. Also, LTE resources (e.g., transmission pools and/or receptionpools) indicated by the parameters and NR resources (e.g., transmissionpools and/or reception pools) indicated by the parameters may beoverlapped.

As an example of the foregoing, SIB “SIBx-NR-V2X” may include theparameters for LTE resources (e.g., LTE resources (e.g., v2x-RxPool-LTE,v2x-TxPool-LTE)) used for the sidelink communication. Also, SIB“SIBx-NR-V2X” may include the parameters for NR resources (e.g., NRresources (e.g., v2x-RxPool-NR, v2x-TxPool-NR)) used for the sidelinkcommunication.

In a case that the parameter(s) for NR resources (e.g., v2x-RxPool-NR,v2x-TxPool-NR) is configured, the gNB may further configure aparameter(s) used for the sidelink communication.

Other parameter(s) configured by the gNB may comprise: configuration fora block comprising, at least, Primary Sidelink Synchronization Signal(PSSS), Secondary Sidelink Synchronization Signal (SSSS), PhysicalBroadcast Channel (PBCH), and/or Demodulation reference signal (DM-RS)associated with the PBCH.

FIG. 12 shows an example, non-limiting illustration of a SIB“SIBx-NR-V2X”, e.g., a SystemInformationBlockTypeX-NR-V2X that comprisesV2X sidelink communication configuration. The parameters“SL-CommRxPoolListV2X-LTE”, “SL-CommTxPoolListV2X-LTE”,“SL-CommRxPoolListV2X-NR”, “SL-CommTxPoolListV2X-NR”, utilized in FIG.12 may each include, e.g.:

-   -   a parameter(s) used for identifying an identification for the        resources (e.g., the resource pool(s)) for the sidelink        transmission    -   a parameter(s) used for indicating a periodicity for the side        link transmission    -   a parameter(s) used for indicating an offset value for the        sidelink transmission    -   a parameter(s) used for indicating a position of the resources        (e.g., the resource pool(s)) for the sidelink transmission    -   a parameter(s) used for indicating TDD configuration associated        with the sidelink transmission

FIG. 13 shows as example, representative illustration of a “SL-CommConfig” information element. With reference to the listing of FIG.13,

-   -   a parameter(s) “ssb-PositionsInBurst” may be used for indicating        the time domain position(s) of the SSSB.    -   a parameter “shortBitmap” may be used for the sidelink        transmission on sub 3 GHz (i.e., a frequency band(s) of sub 3        GHz).    -   a parameter “mediumBitmap” may be used for the sidelink        transmission on 3-6 GHz (i.e., a frequency band(s) of 3-6 GHz).    -   a parameter “longBitmap” may be used for the sidelink        transmission on above 6 GHz (i.e., a frequency band(s) of above        6 GHz).    -   a parameter(s) “ssb-periodicityServingCell” may be used for        indicating periodicity of the SSSB.    -   a parameter(s) “subcarrierSpacing” may be used for indicating        the SCS(s) (subcarrier spacing(s)) (e.g., the numerology) of the        SSSB.    -   a parameter(s) “ss-PBCH-BlockPower” may be used for determining        Tx power used for the SSSB transmission.

Table 2 provides a detailed description of a non-limiting, examplealgorithm or logic that may be implemented by V2X message resourceselection procedure 70 in accordance with an example embodiment andmode.

TABLE 2 Upon receiving SystemInformationBlockTypeX- NR-V2X, the UEshall: 1> if SystemInformationBlockTypex-NR-V2X message includes onlysl-V2X-Config-LTE: 2> not perform HARQ feedback (e.g., ACK and/or NACKtransmission) 2> if configured to receive V2X sidelink communication:3>use the resource pool indicated by v2x-RxPool-LTE in SL-V2X-Config-LTEfor V2X sidelink communication monitoring; 2> if configured to transmitV2X sidelink communication: 3>use the resource pool indicated byv2x-TxPool-LTE in SL-V2X-Config-LTE for V2X sidelink communicationtransmission; 1> if SystemInformationBlockTypex-NR-V2X message includesonly sl-V2X-Config-NR: 2> perform HARQ feedback (e.g., ACK and/or NACKtransmission) 2> if configured to receive V2X sidelink communication:3>use the resource pool indicated by v2x-RxPool-NR in SL-V2X-Config-NRfor V2X sidelink communication monitoring; 2> if configured to transmitV2X sidelink communication: 3>use the resource pool indicated byv2x-TxPool-NR in SL-V2X-Config-NR for V2X sidelink communicationtransmission; 1> if SystemInformationBlockTypex-NR-V2X message includesboth sl-V2X-Config-NR AND sl-V2X-Config-LTE: 2 if configured to receiveV2X sidelink communication: 3> if sl-V2X-Config-NR message includesSL-CommTxPoolSensingConfig-r16 4> if SL-CommTxPoolSensingConfig-r16message includes sl-BSM_QoS_Table-r16 5> use sl-BSM_QoS_Table-r16 fromSL-CommTxPoolSensingConfig-r16; 4> else 5> if the UEs defaultconfiguration includes sl-BSM_QcS_Table-r16 6> use sl-BSM_QoS_Table-r16from the UEs default configuration;  5> else 6> exit 4> ifSL-CommTxPoolSensingConfig-r16 message does not includessl-BSM_QoS_Index_A-r16 5> exit; 4> if SL-CommTxPoolSensingConfig-r16message does not includes sl-BSM_QoS_Index_B-r16 5> usesl-BSM_QoS_Index_A-r16 as a Single_Threshold configuration to selectresource pools  4> else 5> use sl-BSM_QoS_Index_A-r16 andsl-BSM_QoS_Index_B-r16 as a Multiple_Threshold configuration to selectresource pools 2> if configured to transmit V2X sidelink communication:3> if sl-V2X-Config-NR message includes SL-CommTxPoolSensingConfig-r164> if SL-CommTxPoolSensingConfig-r16 message includessl-BSM_QoS_Table-r16 5> use sl-BSM_QoS_Table-r16 fromSL-CommTxPoolSensingConfig-r16; 4> else 5> if the UEs defaultconfiguration includes sl-BSM_QoS_Table-r16 6> use sl-BSM_QoS_Table-r16from UEs default configuration;  5> else 6> exit 4> ifSL-CommTxPoolSensingConfig-r16 message does not includessl-BSM_QoS_Index_A-r16 5> exit; 4> if SL-CommTxPoolSensingConfig-r16message does not includes sl-BSM_QoS_Index_B-r16 5> usesl-BSM_QoS_Index_A-r16 as a Single_Threshold configuration to selectresource pools  4> else 5> use sl-BSM_QoS_Index_A-r16 andsl-BSM_QoS_Index_B-r16 as a Multiple_Threshold configuration to selectresource pools 2> if Single_Threshold configuration is used to selectresource pools: 3> perform HARQ feedback (e.g., ACK and/or NACKtransmission) 3> if S_Measure <sl-BSM_QoS_Table-r16[sl-BSM_QoS_Index_A-r16].S_Measur e and 3>Packet_Delay > sl-BSM_QoS_Table-r16[sl-BSM_QoS_Index_A-r16].Packet_Delay and 3> Packet_Error >sl-BSM_QoS_Table-r16[sl-BSM_QoS_Index_A-r16].Packet _Error 4> Set PC5 touse Both LTE and NR resource for Tx of BSM message 3> else: 4> ifS_Measure >= sl-BSM_QoS_Table-r16[sl-BSM_QoS_Index_A-r16].S_Meas ure and4> Packet_Delay > sl-BSM_QoS_Table-r16[sl-BSM_QoS_Index_A-r16].Packet_Delay and 4> Packet_Error >sl-BSM_QoS_Table-r16[sl-BSM_QoS_Index_A-r16].Pack et_Error 5> Set PC5 touse LTE resource for Tx of BSM message 4> else: 5> Set PC5 to use NRresource for Tx of BSM message 2> if Multiple_Threshold configuration isused to select resource pools: 3> if S_Measure <sl-BSM_QoS_Table-r16[sl-BSM_QoS_Index_A-r16].S_Measur e and 3>Packet_Delay > sl-BSM_QoS_Table-r16[sl-BSM_QoS_Index_A-r16].Packet_Delay and 3> Packet_Error >sl-BSM_QoS_Table-r16[sl-BSM_QoS_Index_A-r16].Packet _Error 4> Set PC5 touse Both LTE and NR resource for Tx of BSM message 4> perform HARQfeedback (e.g., ACK and/or NACK transmission) 3> else: 4> ifS_Measure >= sl-BSM_QoS_Table-r16[sl-BSM_QoS_Index_A-r16].S_Meas ure and4> Packet_Delay > sl-BSM_QoS_Table-r16[sl-BSM_QoS_Index_A-r16].Packet_Delay and 4> Packet_Error >sl-BSM_QoS_Table-r16[sl-BSM_QoS_Index_A-r16].Pack et_Error 5> Set PC5 touse LTE resource for Tx of BSM message 5> NOT perform HARQ feedback(e.g., ACK and/or NACK transmission) 4> else: 5> if S_Measure <sl-BSM_QoS_Table-r16[sl-BSM_QoS_Index_A-r16].S_Me asure and 5>Packet_Delay <= sl-BSM_QoS_Table-r16[sl-BSM_QoS_Index_A-r16].Packet_Delay and 5> Packet_Error <=sl-BSM_QoS_Table-r16[sl-BSM_QoS_Index_A-r16].Pa cket_Error 6> Set PC5 touse NR resource for Tx of BSM message 6> perform HARQ feedback (e.g.,ACK and/or NACK transmission) 5> else: 6> if S_Measure <sl-BSM_QoS_Table-r16[sl-BSM_QoS_Index_B-r16]. S_Measure 7> Set PC5 touse LTE resource for Tx of BSM message 7> NOT perform HARQ feedback(e.g., ACK and/or NACK transmission) 6> else: 7> Set PC5 to use NRresource for Tx of BSM message 7> perform HARQ feedback (e.g., ACKand/or NACK transmission)

Certain units and functionalities of wireless terminal 20 may beimplemented by electronic machinery. For example, terminal electronicmachinery 188 is shown for wireless terminal 26 in FIG. 4. The networknode 90 and access node 130 similarly may employ electronic machinery.FIG. 14 shows an example of such electronic machinery as comprising oneor more processors 190, program instruction memory 192; other memory 194(e.g., RAM, cache, etc.); input/output interfaces 196 and 197,peripheral interfaces 198; support circuits 199; and busses 200 forcommunication between the aforementioned units. The processor(s) 190 maycomprise the processor circuitries described herein, for example, the UEprocessor 50 of user equipment 26, the node processor circuitry 92 ofnetwork node 90, and/or the access node processor circuitry 132 ofaccess node 130.

The memory 194, or computer-readable medium, may be one or more ofreadily available memory such as random access memory (RAM), read onlymemory (ROM), floppy disk, hard disk, flash memory or any other form ofdigital storage, local or remote, and is preferably of non-volatilenature, as and such may comprise memory 60 shown in FIG. 4. The supportcircuits 199 are coupled to the processors 190 for supporting theprocessor in a conventional manner. These circuits include cache, powersupplies, clock circuits, input/output circuitry and subsystems, and thelike.

Although the processes and methods of the disclosed embodiments may bediscussed as being implemented as a software routine, some of the methodsteps that are disclosed therein may be performed in hardware as well asby a processor running software. As such, the embodiments may beimplemented in software as executed upon a computer system, in hardwareas an application specific integrated circuit or other type of hardwareimplementation, or a combination of software and hardware. The softwareroutines of the disclosed embodiments are capable of being executed onany computer operating system, and is capable of being performed usingany CPU architecture.

The functions of the various elements including functional blocks,including but not limited to those labeled or described as “computer”,“processor” or “controller”, may be provided through the use of hardwaresuch as circuit hardware and/or hardware capable of executing softwarein the form of coded instructions stored on computer readable medium.Thus, such functions and illustrated functional blocks are to beunderstood as being either hardware-implemented and/orcomputer-implemented, and thus machine-implemented.

In terms of hardware implementation, the functional blocks may includeor encompass, without limitation, digital signal processor (DSP)hardware, reduced instruction set processor, hardware (e.g., digital oranalog) circuitry including but not limited to application specificintegrated circuit(s) [ASIC], and/or field programmable gate array(s)(FPGA(s)), and (where appropriate) state machines capable of performingsuch functions.

In terms of computer implementation, a computer is generally understoodto comprise one or more processors or one or more controllers, and theterms computer and processor and controller may be employedinterchangeably herein. When provided by a computer or processor orcontroller, the functions may be provided by a single dedicated computeror processor or controller, by a single shared computer or processor orcontroller, or by a plurality of individual computers or processors orcontrollers, some of which may be shared or distributed. Moreover, useof the term “processor” or “controller” may also be construed to referto other hardware capable of performing such functions and/or executingsoftware, such as the example hardware recited above.

Nodes that communicate using the air interface also have suitable radiocommunications circuitry. Moreover, the technology disclosed herein mayadditionally be considered to be embodied entirely within any form ofcomputer-readable memory, such as solid-state memory, magnetic disk, oroptical disk containing an appropriate set of computer instructions thatwould cause a processor to carry out the techniques described herein.

Moreover, each functional block or various features of the userequipment 26 used in each of the aforementioned embodiments may beimplemented or executed by circuitry, which is typically an integratedcircuit or a plurality of integrated circuits. The circuitry designed toexecute the functions described in the present specification maycomprise a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP),an application specific or general application integrated circuit(ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmablelogic devices, discrete gates or transistor logic, or a discretehardware component, or a combination thereof. The general-purposeprocessor may be a microprocessor, or alternatively, the processor maybe a conventional processor, a controller, a microcontroller or a statemachine. The general-purpose processor or each circuit described abovemay be configured by a digital circuit or may be configured by ananalogue circuit. Further, when a technology of making into anintegrated circuit superseding integrated circuits at the present timeappears due to advancement of a semiconductor technology, the integratedcircuit by this technology is also able to be used.

Among its various embodiments and modes, the technology disclosed hereinincludes one or more of the following features and/or benefits:

-   -   A Rel-16 NR UE process that uses one or multiple thresholds,        configured by the network.    -   A Rel-16 NR UE process that uses data from a table of QoS        metrics, configured by the network or pre-configured at time of        mfg.    -   A Rel-16 NR UE process that uses Error Rate and Delay Rate        (provided by the NR Sidelink HARQ process) and RSRP (provided by        the S-measure on the sidelink channel).    -   A Rel-16 NR UE process that determines if NR or LTE or both NR        and LTE resources are used to transport a BSM, based on the        thresholds and QoS configuration data    -   The QoS configuration data is dynamically determined by a 5G        Core network for transport to the UE.    -   The QoS configuration data is pre-provisioned in the UE at time        of manufacture.    -   The QoS configuration data is transported to the UE by the 5G        RAN via a broadcast message (i.e. a SIB)    -   The QoS configuration data is transported to the UE by be 5G RAN        via a    -   unicast a reconfiguration message.)    -   The broadcast QoS configuration data has priory over        pre-provisioned data.    -   The unicast QoS configuration data has priory over broadcast        data, until a new broadcast QoS configuration is received from a        new macro cell    -   The QoS configuration data is carried in a revised IE that is        either broadcasted by the 5G network via a SIB, or is unicasted        via a RRC reconfiguration message.

One or more features of the example embodiments and modes describedherein may be used in conjunction with one or more other features, inany combination.

The following definitions and/or explanations apply to the correspondingterms as utilized herein:

-   -   s-Measure: E-UTRAN provides this measurement configuration        information element carried in the measConfig. The measConfig is        transported to the UE via RRCConnectionReconfiguration or        RRCCorrectionResume message. The s-Measure defines when the UE        is required to perform measurements. The UE is however allowed        to perform measurements also when the RSRP exceeds s-Measure.        When the received measConfig includes the s-Measure, the UE will        set the parameter s-Measure within VarMeasConfig to the lowest        value of the RSRP ranges indicated by the received value of        s-Measure.    -   Quality of Service (QoS): The description or measurement of the        overall performance of a service, such as a telephony or        computer network or a cloud computing service, particularly the        performance seen by the users of the network. To quantitatively        measure quality of service, several related aspects of the        network service are often considered, such as packet loss, bit        rate, throughput, transmission delay, availability, jitter, etc.    -   Guaranteed Bit Rate (GBR): This parameter is used to describe a        LTE bearer (PC5 in this case), and indicates the bandwidth (bit        rate) to be guaranteed by the channel. It is not applied to a        non-GBR bearer with no guaranteed bandwidth.    -   Scheduling priority: This is a value that provides the scheduler        to differentiate between different bearers. Higher-priority        packets are transferred before lower-priority packets.    -   Packet Delay Budget: The packet delay budget defines an upper        boundary for the packet delay between the UE's (using PC5 in        this case).    -   Packet Error Rate: Is the percentage of packets that are lost        during periods when the transport channel (PC5 in this case) is        not congested.

The technology disclosed herein thus comprises and compasses thefollowing non-exhaustive example embodiments and modes:

Example Embodiment 1: A user equipment which participates invehicle-to-anything (V2X) communications, comprising:

-   -   processor circuitry configured to autonomously make a selection,        from radio resources of at least two radio access technologies,        of a radio resource(s) for transmission and/or reception of a        V2X message of the V2X communication;    -   a transmitter and/or receiver configured to use the selected        radio resource(s) for the transmission and/or reception of the        V2X message.

Example Embodiment 2: The apparatus of Example Embodiment 1, wherein theprocessor circuitry is configured to make the selection of the radioresource(s) for transmission and/or reception of the V2X message of theV2X communication from either:

-   -   an LTE radio resource(s);    -   a New Radio (NR) 5G radio resource(s);    -   both the LTE radio resource(s) and the NR 5G radio resources.

Example Embodiment 3: The apparatus of Example Embodiment 1, Wherein theprocessor circuitry is configured to make the selection by making acomparison of:

-   -   quality of service information for a V2X-utilized channel        obtained from each of the two radio access technologies; and    -   a set of thresholds comprising a respective threshold for the        quality of service information obtained from each of the two        radio access technologies.

Example Embodiment 4: The apparatus of Example Embodiment 3, furthercomprising memory circuitry, the memory circuitry comprising aconfigured table of plural sets of thresholds.

Example Embodiment 5: The apparatus of Example Embodiment 4, wherein theat least one particular set(s) of thresholds to be used for thecomparison is preconfigured at the user equipment.

Example Embodiment 6: The apparatus of Example Embodiment 4, wherein theat least one particular set(s) of thresholds to be used for thecomparison by the processor circuitry is configured by a network.

Example Embodiment 7: The apparatus of Example Embodiment 6, wherein theprocessor circuitry is configured to determine the at least oneparticular set(s) of thresholds of the configured table to be used forthe comparison based on a corresponding table index(ices) received bythe user equipment from the network.

Example Embodiment 8: The apparatus of Example Embodiment 7, wherein theprocessor circuitry is configured to determine two sets of thresholds tobe used for the comparison based on two corresponding table indicesreceived by the user equipment from the network.

Example Embodiment 9: The apparatus of Example Embodiment 7, wherein theprocessor circuitry is configured to determine the configured table andthe corresponding table index(ices) from a unicast message.

Example Embodiment 10: The apparatus of Example Embodiment 9, whereinthe processor circuitry is configured to prioritize a configured tableobtained from the unicast message over a configured table obtained froman earlier broadcast message until a new configured table is laterobtained from a broadcast message from a new macrocell.

Example Embodiment 11: The apparatus of Example Embodiment 9, whereinthe processor circuitry is configured to determine the configured tableand the corresponding table index(ices) from a RRC_Reconfigurationmessage.

Example Embodiment 12: The apparatus of Example Embodiment 6, whereinthe processor circuitry is configured to determine the configured tableand the corresponding table index(ices) from a broadcast message.

Example Embodiment 13: The apparatus of Example Embodiment 12, whereinthe processor circuitry is configured to determine the configured tableand the corresponding table index(ices) from a system information block(SIB).

Example Embodiment 14: The apparatus of Example Embodiment 12, whereinthe processor circuitry is configured to prioritize a configured tableobtained from the broadcast message over a configured table that waspreconfigured at the user equipment.

Example Embodiment 15: The apparatus of Example Embodiment 13, whereinthe processor circuitry is further configured to determine, from thesystem information block (SIB), an indication of pools of radioresources from which the radio resource(s) for transmission and/orreception of the V2X message of the V2X communication may be selected.

Example Embodiment 16: The apparatus of Example Embodiment 3, whereinfor a first radio access technology the quality of service informationcomprises error rate and delay rate for the V2X-utilized channel and fora second radio access technology the quality of service informationcomprises a received signal measurement for the V2X-utilized channel.

Example Embodiment 17: The apparatus of Example Embodiment 16, whereinthe first radio access technology is New Radio (NR) 5G, wherein theerror rate and delay rate for the first radio access technology arereported by a HARQ process, wherein the second radio access technologyis Long Term Evolution (LTE), and wherein the V2X-utilized channel is aSidelink PC5 channel.

Example Embodiment 18: A method in a user equipment which participatesin vehicle-to-anything (V2X) communications, comprising:

-   -   using processor circuitry to autonomously make a selection, from        radio resources of at least two radio access technologies, of a        radio resource(s) for transmission and/or reception of a V2X        message of the V2X communication;    -   using the selected radio resource(s) for the transmission and/or        reception of the V2X message.

Example Embodiment 19: The method of Example Embodiment 18, furthercomprising making the selection of the radio resources) for transmissionand/or reception of the V2X message of the V2X communication fromeither:

-   -   an LTE radio resource(s);    -   a New Radio (NR) 5G radio resource(s);    -   both the LTE radio resource(s) and the NR 5G radio resources.

Example Embodiment 20: The method of Example Embodiment 18, furthercomprising making the selection by making a comparison of

-   -   quality of service information for a V2X-utilized channel        obtained from each of the two radio access technologies; and    -   a set of thresholds comprising a respective threshold for the        quality of service information obtained from each of the two        radio access technologies.

Example Embodiment 21: The method of Example Embodiment 20, wherein theat least one particular set(s) of thresholds to be used for thecomparison is preconfigured at the user equipment.

Example Embodiment 22: The method of Example Embodiment 21, wherein theat least one particular set(s) of thresholds to be used for thecomparison by the processor circuitry is configured by a network.

Example Embodiment 23: The method of Example Embodiment 21, furthercomprising determining, from a configured table, the at least oneparticular set(s) of thresholds to be used for the comparison based on acorresponding table index(ices) received by the user equipment from thenetwork.

Example Embodiment 24: The method of Example Embodiment 23, furthercomprising determining, from a configured table, two sets of thresholdsto be used for the comparison based on two corresponding table indicesreceived by the user equipment from the network.

Example Embodiment 25: The method of Example Embodiment 23, furthercomprising determining the configured table and the corresponding tableindex(ices) from a unicast message.

Example Embodiment 26: The method of Example Embodiment 25, furthercomprising prioritizing a configured table obtained from the unicastmessage over a configured table obtained from an earlier broadcastmessage until a new configured table is later obtained from a broadcastmessage from a new macrocell.

Example Embodiment 27: The method of Example Embodiment 25, furthercomprising determining the configured table and the corresponding tableindex(ices) from a RRC_Reconfiguration message.

Example Embodiment 28: The method of Example Embodiment 21, furthercomprising determining the configured table and the corresponding tableindex(ices) from a broadcast message.

Example Embodiment 29: The method of Example Embodiment 28, furthercomprising determining the configured table and the corresponding tableindex(ices) from a system information block (SIB).

Example Embodiment 30: The method of Example Embodiment 28, furthercomprising prioritizing a configured table obtained from the broadcastmessage over a configured table that was preconfigured at the userequipment.

Example Embodiment 31: The method of Example Embodiment 29, furthercomprising determining, from the system information block (SIB), anindication of pools of radio resources from which the radio resource(s)for transmission and/or reception of the V2X message of the V2Xcommunication may be selected.

Example Embodiment 32: The method of Example Embodiment 20, wherein fora first radio access technology the quality of service informationcomprises error rate and delay rate for the V2X-utilized channel and fora second radio access technology the quality of service informationcomprises a received signal measurement for the V2X-utilized channel.

Example Embodiment 33: The method of Example Embodiment 32, wherein thefirst radio access technology is New Radio (NR) 5G, wherein the errorrate and delay rate for the first radio access technology are obtainedby a HARQ process, wherein the second radio access technology is LongTerm Evolution (LTE), and wherein the V2X-utilized channel is a SidelinkPC5 channel.

Example Embodiment 34: A node of a core network comprising:

-   -   processor circuitry configured to generate a set of thresholds,        the set of thresholds being configured for comparison by a user        equipment with quality of service information obtained from each        of at least two radio access technologies in conjunction with        the user equipment making a selection, from radio resources of        the at least two radio access technologies, of a radio        resource(s) for transmission and/or reception of a V2X message        of the V2X communication;    -   interface circuitry configured to transmit the set of thresholds        ultimately to a node of a radio access network that is in radio        communication with the user equipment.

Example Embodiment 35: The node of Example Embodiment 34, wherein theprocessor circuitry is configured to generate the set of thresholds toinclude:

-   -   for a first radio access technology, an error rate threshold and        a delay rate threshold for a V2X-utilized channel; and    -   fir a second radio access technology, a received signal        measurement for the V2X-utilized channel.

Example Embodiment 36: The node of Example Embodiment 35, wherein thefirst radio access technology is New Radio (NR) 5G, wherein the errorrate and delay rate for the first radio access technology are reportedby a HARQ process, wherein the second radio access technology is LongTerm Evolution (LTE), and wherein the V2X-utilized channel is a SidelinkPC5 channel.

Example Embodiment 37: The node of Example Embodiment 34, wherein theprocessor circuitry is configured to generate a table comprising pluralsets of thresholds, the table comprising plural sets of thresholds beingconfigured to use by the user equipment of at least one table index, theat least one table index being configured to enable the user equipmentto determine at least one particular set(s) of thresholds of theconfigured table to be used for the comparison.

Example Embodiment 38: A method in a node of a core network, the methodcomprising:

-   -   using processor circuitry to generate a set of thresholds, the        set of thresholds being configured for comparison by a user        equipment with quality of service information obtained from each        of at least two radio access technologies in conjunction with        the user equipment making a selection, from radio resources of        the at least two radio access technologies, of a radio        resource(s) for transmission and/or reception of a V2X message        of the V2X communication;    -   transmitting the set of thresholds ultimately to a node of a        radio access network that is in radio communication with the        user equipment.

Example Embodiment 39: The method of Example Embodiment 38, furthercomprising generating the set of thresholds to include:

-   -   for a first radio access technology, an error rate threshold and        a delay rate threshold for a V2X-utilized channel; and    -   for a second radio access technology, a received signal        measurement for the V2X-utilized channel.

Example Embodiment 40: The method of Example Embodiment 39, wherein thefirst radio access technology is New Radio (NR) 5G, wherein the errorrate and delay rate for the first radio access technology are reportedby a HARQ process, wherein the second radio access technology is LongTerm Evolution (LTE), and wherein the V2X-utilized channel is a SidelinkPC5 channel.

Example Embodiment 41: The method of Example Embodiment 38, furthercomprising generating a table comprising plural sets of thresholds, thetable comprising plural sets of thresholds being configured to use bythe user equipment of at least one table index, the at least one tableindex being configured to enable the user equipment to determine atleast one particular set(s) of thresholds of the configured table to beused for the comparison.

Example Embodiment 42: A node of a radio access network comprising:

-   -   processor circuitry configured to include a set of thresholds in        a message, the set of thresholds being configured for comparison        by a user equipment with quality of service information obtained        from each of at least two radio access technologies in        conjunction with the user equipment making a selection, from        radio resources of the at least two radio access technologies,        of a radio resource(s) for transmission and/or reception of a        V2X message of the V2X communication;    -   transmitter circuitry configured to transmit the message        comprising the set of thresholds over a radio interface to the        user equipment.

Example Embodiment 43: The node of Example Embodiment 42, wherein theprocessor circuitry is further configured:

-   -   to include a table comprising plural sets of thresholds in the        message,    -   to generate at least one table index, the at least one table        index being configured to enable the user equipment to determine        at least one particular set(s) of thresholds of the configured        table to be used for the comparison.

Example Embodiment 44: The apparatus of Example Embodiment 43, whereinthe processor circuitry is configured to generate two indices to enablethe user equipment to determine two sets of thresholds to be used forthe comparison.

Example Embodiment 45: The apparatus of Example Embodiment 43, whereinthe processor circuitry is configured to include the configured tableand the at least one table index in a unicast message.

Example Embodiment 46: The apparatus of Example Embodiment 45, whereinthe processor circuitry is configured to include the configured tableand the table index in a RRC_Reconfiguration message.

Example Embodiment 47: The apparatus of Example Embodiment 43, whereinthe processor circuitry is configured to include the configured tableand the at least one table index in a broadcast message.

Example Embodiment 48: The apparatus of Example Embodiment 47, whereinthe processor circuitry is configured to include the configured tableand the at least one table index in a system information block (SIB).

Example Embodiment 49: The node of Example Embodiment 42, wherein theset of thresholds includes:

-   -   for a first radio access technology, an error rate threshold and        a delay rate threshold for a V2X-utilized channel; and    -   for a second radio access technology, a received signal        measurement for the V2X-utilized channel.

Example Embodiment 50: A method in node of a radio access network, themethod comprising:

-   -   using processor circuitry to include a set of thresholds in a        message, the set of thresholds being configured for comparison        by a user equipment with quality of service information obtained        from each of at least two radio access technologies in        conjunction with the user equipment making a selection, from        radio resources of the at least two radio access technologies,        of a radio resource(s) for transmission and/or reception of a        V2X message of the V2X communication;    -   transmitting the message comprising the set of thresholds over a        radio interface to the user equipment.

Example Embodiment 51: The method of Example Embodiment 50, wherein thefirst radio access technology is New Radio (NR) 5G, wherein the errorrate and delay rate for the first radio access technology are reportedby a HARQ process, wherein the second radio access technology is LongTerm Evolution (LTE), and wherein the V2X-utilized channel is a SidelinkPC5 channel.

It will be appreciated that the technology disclosed herein is directedto solving radio communications-centric issues and is necessarily rootedin computer technology and overcomes problems specifically arising inradio communications. Moreover, the technology disclosed herein improvesbasic function of a wireless terminal, e.g., a user equipment, a networknode, and a base station, so that, for example, operation of theseentities may occur more effectively by prudent use of radio resources.For example, the technology disclosed herein enables the user equipment26 to make a judicious use of radio resources for a V2X message,particularly in view of quality of service and other concerns/issues.

Although the description above contains many specificities, these shouldnot be construed as limiting the scope of the technology disclosedherein but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presentlypreferred embodiments of the technology disclosed herein. Thus the scopeof the technology disclosed herein should be determined by the appendedclaims and their legal equivalents. Therefore, it will be appreciatedthat the scope of the technology disclosed herein fully encompassesother embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art,and that the scope of the technology disclosed herein is accordingly tobe limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which referenceto an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one”unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” Theabove-described embodiments could be combined with one another. Allstructural, chemical, and functional equivalents to the elements of theabove-described preferred embodiment that are known to those of ordinaryskill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and areintended to be encompassed by the present claims. Moreover, it is notnecessary for a device or method to address each and every problemsought to be solved by the technology disclosed herein, for it to beencompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component,or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated tothe public regardless of whether the element, component, or method stepis explicitly recited in the claims.

SUMMARY

In one example, a user equipment which participates invehicle-to-anything (V2X) communications, comprising: processorcircuitry configured to autonomously make a selection, from radioresources of at least two radio access technologies, of a radioresource(s) for transmission and/or reception of a V2X message of theV2X communication; a transmitter and/or receiver configured to use theselected radio resource(s) for the transmission and/or reception of theV2X message.

In one example, the apparatus, wherein the processor circuitry isconfigured to make the selection of the radio resource(s) fortransmission and/or reception of the V2X message of the V2Xcommunication from either: an LTE radio resource(s); a New Radio (NR) 5Gradio resource(s); both the LTE radio resource(s) and the NR 5G radioresources.

In one example, the apparatus, wherein the processor circuitry isconfigured to make the selection by making a comparison of: quality ofservice information for a V2X-utilized channel obtained from each of thetwo radio access technologies; and a set of thresholds comprising arespective threshold for the quality of service information obtainedfrom each of the two radio access technologies.

In one example, the apparatus, further comprising memory circuitry, thememory circuitry comprising a configured table of plural sets ofthresholds.

In one example, the apparatus, wherein the at least one particularset(s) of thresholds to be used for the comparison is preconfigured atthe user equipment.

In one example, the apparatus, wherein the at least one particularset(s) of thresholds to be used for the comparison by the processorcircuitry is configured by a network.

In one example, the apparatus, wherein the processor circuitry isconfigured to determine the at least one particular set(s) of thresholdsof the configured table to be used for the comparison based on acorresponding table index(ices) received by the user equipment from thenetwork.

In one example, the apparatus, wherein the processor circuitry isconfigured to determine two sets of thresholds to be used for thecomparison based on two corresponding table indices received by the userequipment from the network.

In one example, the apparatus, wherein the processor circuitry isconfigured to determine the configured table and the corresponding tableindex(ices) from a unicast message.

In one example, the apparatus, wherein the processor circuitry isconfigured to prioritize a configured table obtained from the unicastmessage over a configured table obtained from an earlier broadcastmessage until a new configured table is later obtained from a broadcastmessage from a new macrocell.

In one example, the apparatus, wherein the processor circuitry isconfigured to determine the configured table and the corresponding tableindex(ices) from a RRC_Reconfiguration message.

In one example, the apparatus, wherein the processor circuitry isconfigured to determine the configured table and the corresponding tableindex(ices) from a broadcast message.

In one example, the apparatus, wherein the processor circuitry isconfigured to determine the configured table and the corresponding tableindex(ices) from a system information block (SIB).

In one example, the apparatus, wherein the processor circuitry isconfigured to prioritize a configured table obtained from the broadcastmessage over a configured table that was preconfigured at the userequipment.

In one example, the apparatus, wherein the processor circuitry isfurther configured to determine, from the system information block(SIB), an indication of pools of radio resources from which the radioresource(s) for transmission and/or reception of the V2X message of theV2X communication may be selected.

In one example, the apparatus, wherein for a first radio accesstechnology the quality of service information comprises error rate anddelay rate for the V2X-utilized channel and for a second radio accesstechnology the quality of service information comprises a receivedsignal measurement for the V2X-utilized channel.

In one example, the apparatus, wherein the first radio access technologyis New Radio (NR) 5G, wherein the error rate and delay rate for thefirst radio access technology are reported by a HARQ process, whereinthe second radio access technology is Long Term Evolution (LTE), andwherein the V2X-utilized channel is a Sidelink PC5 channel.

In one example, a method in a user equipment which participates invehicle-to-anything (V2X) communications, comprising: using processorcircuitry to autonomously make a selection, from radio resources of atleast two radio access technologies, of a radio resource(s) fortransmission and/or reception of a V2X message of the V2X communication;using the selected radio resource(s) for the transmission and/orreception of the V2X message.

In one example, the method, further comprising making the selection ofthe radio resource(s) for transmission and/or reception of the V2Xmessage of the V2X communication from either: an LTE radio resource(s);a New Radio (NR) 5G radio resource(s); both the LTE radio resource(s)and the NR 5G radio resources.

In one example, the method, further comprising making the selection bymaking a comparison of: quality of service information for aV2X-utilized channel obtained from each of the two radio accesstechnologies; and a set of thresholds comprising a respective thresholdfor the quality of service information obtained from each of the tworadio access technologies.

In one example, the method, wherein the at least one particular set(s)of thresholds to be used for the comparison is preconfigured at the userequipment.

In one example, the method, wherein the at least one particular set(s)of thresholds to be used for the comparison by the processor circuitryis configured by a network.

In one example, the method, further comprising determining, from aconfigured table, the at least one particular set(s) of thresholds to beused for the comparison based on a corresponding table index(ices)received by the user equipment from the network.

In one example, the method, further comprising determining, from aconfigured table, two sets of thresholds to be used for the comparisonbased on two corresponding table indices received by the user equipmentfrom the network.

In one example, the method, further comprising determining theconfigured table and the corresponding table index(ices) from a unicastmessage.

In one example, the method, further comprising prioritizing a configuredtable obtained from the unicast message over a configured table obtainedfrom an earlier broadcast message until a new configured table is laterobtained from a broadcast message from a new macrocell.

In one example, the method, further comprising determining theconfigured table and the corresponding table index(ices) from aRRC_Reconfiguration message.

In one example, the method, further comprising determining theconfigured table and the corresponding table index(ices) from abroadcast message.

In one example, the method, further comprising determining theconfigured table and the corresponding table index(ices) from a systeminformation block (SIB).

In one example, the method, further comprising prioritizing a configuredtable obtained from the broadcast message over a configured table thatwas preconfigured at the user equipment.

In one example, the method, further comprising determining, from thesystem information block (SIB), an indication of pools of radioresources from which the radio resource(s) for transmission and/orreception of the V2X message of the V2X communication may be selected.

In one example, the method, wherein for a first radio access technologythe quality of service information comprises error rate and delay ratefor the V2X-utilized channel and for a second radio access technologythe quality of service information comprises a received signalmeasurement for the V2X-utilized channel.

In one example, the method, wherein the first radio access technology isNew Radio (NR) 5G, wherein the error rate and delay rate for the firstradio access technology are obtained by a HARQ process, wherein thesecond radio access technology is Long Term Evolution (LTE), and whereinthe V2X-utilized channel is a Sidelink PC5 channel.

In one example, a node of a core network comprising: processor circuitryconfigured to generate a set of thresholds, the set of thresholds beingconfigured for comparison by a user equipment with quality of serviceinformation obtained from each of at least two radio access technologiesin conjunction with the user equipment making a selection, from radioresources of the at least two radio access technologies, of a radioresource(s) for transmission and/or reception of a V2X message of theV2X communication; interface circuitry configured to transmit the set ofthresholds ultimately to a node of a radio access network that is inradio communication with the user equipment.

In one example, the node, wherein the processor circuitry is configuredto generate the set of thresholds to include: for a first radio accesstechnology, an error rate threshold and a delay rate threshold for aV2X-utilized channel; and for a second radio access technology, areceived signal measurement for the V2X-utilized channel.

In one example, the node, wherein the first radio access technology isNew Radio (NR) 5G, wherein the error rate and delay rate for the firstradio access technology are reported by a HARQ process, wherein thesecond radio access technology is Long Term Evolution (LTE), and whereinthe V2X-utilized channel is a Sidelink PC5 channel.

In one example, the node, wherein the processor circuitry is configuredto generate a table comprising plural sets of thresholds, the tablecomprising plural sets of thresholds being configured to use by the userequipment of at least one table index, the at least one table indexbeing configured to enable the user equipment to determine at least oneparticular set(s) of thresholds of the configured table to be used forthe comparison.

In one example, a method in a node of a core network, the methodcomprising: using processor circuitry to generate a set of thresholds,the set of thresholds being configured for comparison by a userequipment with quality of service information obtained from each of atleast two radio access technologies in conjunction with the userequipment making a selection, from radio resources of the at least tworadio access technologies, of a radio resource(s) for transmissionand/or reception of a V2X message of the V2X communication; transmittingthe set of thresholds ultimately to a node of a radio access networkthat is in radio communication with the user equipment.

In one example, the method, further comprising generating the set ofthresholds to include: for a first radio access technology, an errorrate threshold and a delay rate threshold for a V2X-utilized channel;and for a second radio access technology, a received signal measurementfor the V2X-utilized channel.

In one example, the method, wherein the first radio access technology isNew Radio (NR) 5G, wherein the error rate and delay rate for the firstradio access technology are reported by a HARQ process, wherein thesecond radio access technology is Long Term Evolution (LTE), and whereinthe V2X-utilized channel is a Sidelink PC5 channel.

In one example, the method, further comprising generating a tablecomprising plural sets of thresholds, the table comprising plural setsof thresholds being configured to use by the user equipment of at leastone table index, the at least one table index being configured to enablethe user equipment to determine at least one particular set(s) ofthresholds of the configured table to be used for the comparison.

In one example, a node of a radio access network comprising: processorcircuitry configured to include a set of thresholds in a message, theset of thresholds being configured for comparison by a user equipmentwith quality of service information obtained from each of at least tworadio access technologies in conjunction with the user equipment makinga selection, from radio resources of the at least two radio accesstechnologies, of a radio resource(s) for transmission and/or receptionof a V2X message of the V2X communication; transmitter circuitryconfigured to transmit the message comprising the set of thresholds overa radio interface to the user equipment.

In one example, the node, wherein the processor circuitry is furtherconfigured: to include a table comprising plural sets of thresholds inthe message, to generate at least one table index, the at least onetable index being configured to enable the user equipment to determineat least one particular set(s) of thresholds of the configured table tobe used for the comparison.

In one example, the apparatus, wherein the processor circuitry isconfigured to generate two indices to enable the user equipment todetermine two sets of thresholds to be used for the comparison.

In one example, the apparatus, wherein the processor circuitry isconfigured to include the configured table and the at least one tableindex in a unicast message.

In one example, the apparatus, wherein the processor circuitry isconfigured to include the configured table and the table index in aRRC_Reconfiguration message.

In one example, the apparatus, wherein the processor circuitry isconfigured to include the configured table and the at least one tableindex in a broadcast message.

In one example, the apparatus, wherein the processor circuitry isconfigured to include the configured table and the at least one tableindex in a system information block (SIB).

In one example, the node, wherein the set of thresholds includes: for afirst radio access technology, an error rate threshold and a delay ratethreshold for a V2X-utilized channel; and for a second radio accesstechnology, a received signal measurement for the V2X-utilized channel.

In one example, a method in node of a radio access network, the methodcomprising: using processor circuitry to include a set of thresholds ina message, the set of thresholds being configured for comparison by auser equipment with quality of service information obtained from each ofat least two radio access technologies in conjunction with the userequipment making a selection, from radio resources of the at least tworadio access technologies, of a radio resource(s) for transmissionand/or reception of a V2X message of the V2X communication; transmittingthe message comprising the set of thresholds over a radio interface tothe user equipment.

In one example, the method, wherein the first radio access technology isNew Radio (NR) 5G, wherein the error rate and delay rate for the firstradio access technology are reported by a HARQ process, wherein thesecond radio access technology is Long Term Evolution (LTE), and whereinthe V2X-utilized channel is a Sidelink PC5 channel.

In one example, a user equipment which participates invehicle-to-anything (V2X) communications, comprising: processorcircuitry configured to autonomously make a selection, from radioresources of at least two radio access technologies, of a radioresource(s) for transmission and/or reception of a V2X message of theV2X communication; a transmitter and/or receiver configured to use theselected radio resource(s) for the transmission and/or reception of theV2X message.

In one example, the apparatus, wherein the processor circuitry isconfigured to make the selection of the radio resource(s) fortransmission and/or reception of the V2X message of the V2Xcommunication from either: an LTE radio resource(s); a New Radio (NR) 5Gradio resource(s); both the LTE radio resource(s) and the NR 5G radioresources.

In one example, the apparatus, wherein the processor circuitry isconfigured to make the selection by making a comparison of: quality ofservice information for a V2X-utilized channel obtained from each of thetwo radio access technologies; and a set of thresholds comprising arespective threshold for the quality of service information obtainedfrom each of the two radio access technologies.

In one example, the apparatus, further comprising memory circuitry, thememory circuitry comprising a configured table of plural sets ofthresholds.

In one example, a method in a user equipment which participates invehicle-to-anything (V2X) communications, comprising: using processorcircuitry to autonomously make a selection, from radio resources of atleast two radio access technologies, of a radio resource(s) fortransmission and/or reception of a V2X message of the V2X communication;using the selected radio resource(s) for the transmission and/orreception of the V2X message.

In one example, the method, further comprising making the selection ofthe radio resource(s) for transmission and/or reception of the V2Xmessage of the V2X communication from either: an LTE radio resource(s);a New Radio (NR) 5G radio resource(s); both the LTE radio resource(s)and the NR 5G radio resources.

In one example, the method, further comprising making the selection bymaking a comparison of: quality of service information for aV2X-utilized channel obtained from each of the two radio accesstechnologies; and a set of thresholds comprising a respective thresholdfor the quality of service information obtained from each of the tworadio access technologies.

In one example, the method, wherein the at least one particular set(s)of thresholds to be used for the comparison is preconfigured at the userequipment.

In one example, a node of a core network comprising: processor circuitryconfigured to generate a set of thresholds, the set of thresholds beingconfigured for comparison by a user equipment with quality of serviceinformation obtained from each of at least two radio access technologiesin conjunction with the user equipment making a selection, from radioresources of the at least two radio access technologies, of a radioresource(s) for transmission and/or reception of a V2X message of theV2X communication; interface circuitry configured to transmit the set ofthresholds ultimately to a node of a radio access network that is inradio communication with the user equipment.

In one example, the node, wherein the processor circuitry is configuredto generate the set of thresholds to include: for a first radio accesstechnology, an error rate threshold and a delay rate threshold for aV2X-utilized channel; and for a second radio access technology, areceived signal measurement for the V2X-utilized channel.

In one example, a method in a node of a core network, the methodcomprising: using processor circuitry to generate a set of thresholds,the set of thresholds being configured for comparison by a userequipment with quality of service information obtained from each of atleast two radio access technologies in conjunction with the userequipment making a selection, from radio resources of the at least tworadio access technologies, of a radio resource(s) for transmissionand/or reception of a V2X message of the V2X communication; transmittingthe set of thresholds ultimately to a node of a radio access networkthat is in radio communication with the user equipment.

In one example, the method, further comprising generating the set ofthresholds to include: for a first radio access technology, an errorrate threshold and a delay rate threshold for a V2X-utilized channel;and for a second radio access technology, a received signal measurementfor the V2X-utilized channel.

In one example, a node of a radio access network comprising: processorcircuitry configured to include a set of thresholds in a message, theset of thresholds being configured for comparison by a user equipmentwith quality of service information obtained from each of at least tworadio access technologies in conjunction with the user equipment makinga selection, from radio resources of the at least two radio accesstechnologies, of a radio resource(s) for transmission and/or receptionof a V2X message of the V2X communication; transmitter circuitryconfigured to transmit the message comprising the set of thresholds overa radio interface to the user equipment.

In one example, the node, wherein the processor circuitry is furtherconfigured: to include a table comprising plural sets of thresholds inthe message, to generate at least one table index, the at least onetable index being configured to enable the user equipment to determineat least one particular set(s) of thresholds of the configured table tobe used for the comparison.

In one example, a method in node of a radio access network, the methodcomprising: using processor circuitry to include a set of thresholds ina message, the set of thresholds being configured for comparison by auser equipment with quality of service information obtained from each ofat least two radio access technologies in conjunction with the userequipment making a selection, from radio resources of the at least tworadio access technologies, of a radio resource(s) for transmissionand/or reception of a V2X message of the V2X communication; transmittingthe message comprising the set of thresholds over a radio interface tothe user equipment.

In one example, the method, wherein the first radio access technology isNew Radio (NR) 5G, wherein the error rate and delay rate for the firstradio access technology are reported by a HARQ process, wherein thesecond radio access technology is Long Term Evolution (LTE), and whereinthe V2X-utilized channel is a Sidelink PC5 channel.

1. A user equipment (UE) which participates in vehicle-to-anything (V2X)communications, the UE comprising: processor circuitry configured toautonomously make a selection, from radio resources of at least tworadio access technologies, of at least one radio resource; at least atransmitter or receiver configured to use the selected at least oneradio resource for transmission or reception of a V2X message.
 2. The UEof claim 1, wherein the processor circuitry is further configured tomake the selection of the at least one radio resource from at least oneof an LTE radio resource and a New Radio (NR) 5G radio resource.
 3. TheUE of claim 1, wherein the processor circuitry is further configured tomake the selection by comparing quality-of-service information for aV2X-utilized channel obtained from each of the at least two radio accesstechnologies to a set of thresholds comprising a corresponding thresholdfor the quality-of-service information obtained from each of the atleast two radio access technologies.
 4. The UE of claim 3, furthercomprising memory circuitry storing a table of a plurality of sets ofthresholds.
 5. A method in a user equipment (UE) which participates invehicle-to-anything (V2X) communications, the method comprising:autonomously selecting, from radio resources of at least two radioaccess technologies, at least one radio resource; using the selected atleast one radio resource for transmission or reception of a V2X message.6. The method of claim 5, wherein the selection of the at least oneradio resource is from at least one of an LTE radio resource and a NewRadio (NR) 5G radio resource.
 7. The method of claim 5, wherein theselection comprising comparing quality-of-service information for aV2X-utilized channel obtained from each of the at least two radio accesstechnologies to a set of thresholds comprising a corresponding thresholdfor the quality of service information obtained from each of the atleast two radio access technologies.
 8. The method of claim 7, whereinthe set of thresholds is stored at the user equipment. 9-12. (canceled)13. A node of a radio access network, the node comprising: processorcircuitry configured to include a set of thresholds in a message, theset of thresholds for comparison by a user equipment withquality-of-service information obtained from each of at least two radioaccess technologies; transmitter circuitry configured to transmit themessage comprising the set of thresholds over a radio interface to theuser equipment.
 14. The node of claim 13, wherein the processorcircuitry is further configured to: include a table comprising aplurality of sets of thresholds in the message; and generate at leastone table index configured for determining at least one set ofthresholds of the configured table for the comparison. 15-16. (canceled)